Assistant Professor of Scenic Design/Coordinator of Design and Production

Description

The Millikin University School of Theatre and Dance is accepting applications for a full-time tenure-track position in Scenic Design to begin in August 2026.  Millikin is a small, private, comprehensive university of approximately 1800 students located in Decatur, Illinois.  The nationally recognized School of Theatre and Dance is a vibrant and highly visible component of the campus community serving 160 students in five degree programs including a BA in Theatre and Performance Studies and BFAs in Acting, Design and Production, Musical Theatre, and Stage Management.  The school is housed in a new $29 million facility, the Center for Theatre and Dance, which opened in 2020.

Responsibilities include:

·        Serve as Coordinator of Design & Production: organize weekly meetings of D&P faculty and staff, interview prospective students, facilitate D&P Cornerstone and Capstone projects, etc

·        Teach courses in elements and principles of design, drawing/rendering, scenic design, properties design, history of décor and scenic painting

·        Design 1-2 mainstage productions per semester

·        Supervise, maintain, and organize stock and equipment in prop shop

·        Coordinate and supervise paint calls

·        Supervise and mentor student designers and technicians working in scenic and properties design & fabrication

·        Attend School of Theatre & Dance, College of Fine Arts, and full faculty meetings

·        University and School of Theatre & Dance service

·        Advise undergraduate students through curriculum and mentorship

 

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

·        MFA in Scenic Design, Theatre Design, or related field

·        University-level teaching experience

·        Demonstrated collaborative design and technical experience in university productions, professional theatre, and/or relevant entertainment venues

·        Demonstrated scenic painting skills

·        Demonstrated experience with current drawing, rendering, and drafting practices and software, including but not limited to: Hand drafting, traditional drawing & painting, Vectorworks, Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, AutoCAD, and SketchUp

·        Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office communication tools such as Teams, Sharepoint, and Outlook

Desired Qualifications:

·        Experience teaching diverse student populations

·        Experience in projection design

·        Experience in other fields of theatre design and technology

·        USITT, USA 829, and/or IATSE membership(s)

·        Teaching and collaborative practices related to Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility

 

Application Instructions

Application Materials:

·        Letter of Application

·        Current Curriculum Vitae

·        Teaching Philosophy including a statement on Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility

·        3 Professional References

·        Design Portfolio or Website

 

Application Deadline:

 

Review of applicants will begin March 4th, 2026 and will continue until filled.

 

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information of three professional references to millikin.edu/employment. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Employment and first day of work is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Millikin University is an equal opportunity employer and candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups in this field are encouraged to apply. Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations