Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre

The Visual and Performing Arts Department at Michigan Technological University seeks a dynamic director-educator to fill the position of Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre beginning in August 2021. This is a two year contract. The position entails directing two theatre or media productions in an academic year and teaching performance courses in both live stage and recorded media in the B.A. Theatre and Electronic Media Performance degree program. The successful candidate will be prepared to contribute to a technology-rich program and curriculum.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (Other duties may be assigned): Direct/devise/coach one theatre or media production per semester (2 annually); Teach acting courses; Mentor students; Participate in department and university service as assigned; Collaborate with faculty and staff in student recruitment; Participate in academic assessment and curriculum development; Integrate safety practices into daily activities and commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures (minimum requirements): MFA or other terminal degree completed by August 2020.

Required Experience (minimum requirements): Evidence of excellence in directing; Demonstrated experience of teaching performance and/or related courses; Demonstrated record of successful collaboration with design and production teams; Experience working with diverse collaborators and students.

Desirable Education and/or Experience: Professional directing experience and/or experience directing in a university setting; Experience working creatively with technologically-sophisticated productions.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements): Excellent communication skills – ability to collaborate with an artistic/production team composed of both faculty and students, in coordination with design/tech faculty. Ability to understand and meet the academic and artistic needs of students, both majors and non-majors. Commitment to diverse casting practices. Ability to use basic office productivity software (Google Suite, Microsoft Office), and online collaboration/teaching tools (e.g. production management, video conferencing). Ability to learn and adapt to emerging technologies.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities: Budget management; Outreach skills such as effective marketing and audience development and enrichment; Experience and/or interest in interdisciplinary collaborations with other arts and/or other academic fields; Experience with developing/pursuing outside funding and resources; Experience with student recruitment; Experience with media technologies

Certifications or training in secondary areas such as intimacy direction, flight direction, movement, dance, Alexander Technique, Laban, etc.

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 3 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

Employee Safety Overview, Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training, Annual Data Security Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Applicants will apply online at: http://www.employment.mtu.edu/cw/en-us/job/492441. Candidates will submit the following:1) Cover letter2) Curriculum vitae3) Phone and email for five (5) references

Questions may be addressed to Search Committee Chair, Trish Helsel, helsel@mtu.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Full consideration will be given to applicants who apply on, or before, February 1, 2021.

Michigan Technological University (www.mtu.edu), established in 1885, is a nationally recognized research university and a leader in science and engineering education. Michigan Tech ranks in the top tier of national universities, according to U.S. News & World Report’s latest edition of America’s Best Colleges. Michigan Tech is located in Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula on the south shore of Lake Superior. Houghton and the surrounding Keweenaw Peninsula are well known for natural beauty and abundant outdoor activities in all seasons. Recently, Houghton was ranked in “The 100 Best Small Towns in America.” Houghton provides a unique setting where natural beauty, culture, education and the diversity of residents from around the world come together to provide a superb living experience.

Michigan Tech is an ADVANCE institution, one of a limited number of universities in receipt of NSF funds in support of our commitment to increase diversity and the participation and advancement of women in STEM.

Michigan Tech is building a culturally diverse faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from all individuals. Michigan Tech is an ADVANCE Institution, and has twice received National Science Foundation funds in support of efforts to increase diversity, inclusion, and the participation and advancement of women and underrepresented individuals in STEM.

Michigan Tech acknowledges the importance of supporting dual-career partners to retain a quality workforce. Additional details on dual-career exploration with our Partner Engagement Program can be found at https://www.mtu.edu/provost/programs/partner-engagement/.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.