Lecturer of Theatre Technical Direction - Arizona State University

Lecturer of Theatre Technical Direction

School of Music, Dance and Theatre

Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University



Description:

The School of Music, Dance and Theatre in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University seeks a lecturer in theatre technical direction to teach coursework in theatre production and oversee the technical aspects of departmental productions. This is a full-time, one year, 9-month position for the academic year beginning fall 2021.



About ASU

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 80,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.



About the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts

ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is the largest comprehensive design and arts school in the country, built on a combination of disciplines unlike any other program nationally and located within a dynamic research university focused on transformative change. The Herberger Institute comprises the schools of Art; Arts, Media and Engineering; Music, Dance and Theatre; The Design School; The New American Film School, and the ASU Art Museum. The Herberger Institute is committed to redefining the 21st-century design and arts school through developing and scaling ideas to strengthen the role of designers and artists across all areas of society and culture and to increase the capacity of artists to make a difference in their communities. For more information on the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, visit herbergerinstitute.asu.edu.



About the School of Music, Dance and Theatre

The School of Music, Dance and Theatre is widely recognized for preparing artists, scholars, visionaries and entrepreneurs to become creative leaders who transform society through their creative work. Our internationally recognized faculty artists, scholars and guest artists are motivating and compassionate mentors who work with students to cultivate excellence and personal growth. Our nationally recognized programs feature a comprehensive range of degrees plus minors and certificates and more than 600 concerts, events, performances, productions and recitals each year. Located in the culturally rich Southwest in one of the most vibrant, expanding urban centers, our programs afford students access to a diverse environment and engagement in Phoenix’s flourishing arts community. Above all, we value the creativity, personal experience and voice each student brings to the school. For more information on the School of Music, Dance and Theatre, visit musicdancetheatre.asu.edu.



The dance and theatre programs are committed to investigating and situating the importance of disciplinary knowledge and artistic practices as central to citizenship, democracy, and our social wellbeing; advancing practices within and across each discipline; and researching and developing innovative and relevant pedagogical and curricular approaches that center equity. With over 350 undergraduate dance and theatre majors and over 45 MA, MFA and PhD students, the dance and theatre programs are a dynamic teaching, learning and discovery environment in which production and curriculum are mutually supportive. Each year we present an extensive season of productions that push the boundaries of contemporary performing arts. Our programming features hundreds of live events and presentations of student work, engaging over 10,000 community members in the metro Phoenix area. The Design & Production concentration is a cutting-edge program with over 70 students and growing. We use industry leading digital fabrication methods and technologies to give our students the most extensive breadth of knowledge in their focus area. We emphasize the process over product to create the best learning outcomes motivated by creating high production value shows. The Design and Production area is comprised of eight faculty members and seven staff members to support our students and the season.



The lecturer of technical direction will teach undergraduate courses in: technical theatre, drafting for the stage, technical direction, and practicum/lab courses in stage crew and production, with opportunities to teach other topics in area of expertise; and supervise and mentor student technical directors and props masters. This position is responsible for providing technical direction or technical oversight (including safety compliance) for all productions, as well as coordinating the execution or execute the construction, installation, removal and storage of scenery and properties in collaboration with staff shop supervisor. Other duties include: generating working drawings, managing area budgets for each production and supervising student workers and graduate assistants in the scene shop.



We seek candidates with a willingness to teach in person, online and hybrid courses, who can help attract new students and teach courses that support enrollment goals, enhance the diversity of the Institute, and connect and collaborate with artists, designers, and scholars across campus and in the community.



Required Qualifications:

• MFA or bachelor’s degree in related field with commensurate sustained professional experience in Technical Direction.

• Demonstrated ability to address the educational and cultural needs of students and to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in the field.

• Demonstrated skills in stage production (basic and advanced stagecraft) methods and techniques.

• Demonstration of excellent organization skills.

• Demonstrated teaching excellence and innovation or record of professional mentorship in the field of technical direction.



Desired Qualifications:

• MFA in technical direction or related field.

• Record of at least five years of professional and relevant industry experience.

• College teaching experience strongly preferred.

• Record of and commitment to continue collaborative, professional and relevant industry experience.

• Experience with rigging in a professional environment.

• Demonstrated skills in wood and metal fabrication.

• Demonstrated proficiency in computer aided drafting (AutoCAD and Vectorworks) and hand drafting.

• Skill in estimating and managing technical budgets.

• Demonstrated and ongoing engagement with current entertainment technology practices.

• Experience in new work development.



Instructions to Apply:

Please submit the following materials:

• A letter of interest addressing how the candidate uniquely meets the qualifications for the position, in particular: work experience, collaboration and innovative teaching.

• Curriculum vitae.

• A separate, one-page statement addressing the candidate’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion highlighting specific instances of their work, advocacy, and support for BIPOC, Latinx and marginalized groups and artists.

• A separate, one-page teaching philosophy statement.

• Names and contact information of three references.

• A digital portfolio of no more than 20 examples demonstrating expertise in technical direction. For detailed instructions on how to create a document with live hyperlinks, please click here.



All applications must be submitted electronically via apply.interfolio.com/89413



Application Deadline:

The application deadline is July 12, 2021. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.





ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses and certifications.



Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.



(See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.)



In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.
Salary: TBD