Adjunct Instructor/Assistant Professor of Theatre and Technical Director

Adjunct Instructor/Assistant Professor of Theatre and Technical Director

Department: Fine Arts
Position: Full-time temporary instructor, 10 month position, non-tenure track with full benefits package
Salary:  Negotiable within the range established in the Collective Bargaining Agreement ($36,000 to $44,000)
Union Affiliation: MFPE
Posting Date:  April 2021
Start Date:  August 1, 2021

Description

The Fine Arts Department at The University of Montana Western Department of invites applications for a one-year faculty instructional appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the drama/drama education program, with additional duties as Technical Director.   The University of Montana Western values diversity, and applicants from diverse backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate may be eligible to apply for renewal of the contract for 2022-23.

As Adjunct Assistant Professor, the person’s primary responsibilities are academic. These responsibilities include:

• Teach three courses per semester; some combination of Introduction to Theatre; Directing and Play Production; Theatre Workshop; Stagecraft I and II.
• Coordinate primary learning activities of theatre courses with department productions, as per course descriptions.
• Teach, coach, and mobilize students, including 2-3 work study students, in the construction of scenery and props, and execution of lights and sound, for department theatre class productions;
• maintain an engaged and collaboration-minded relationship with students, faculty, staff, and guest artists/teachers.
• Foster collaborative partnerships across campus and within the community.

Responsibilities for the Technical Director for the Beier (proscenium stage w/ 430 seat house) and small auditorium (proscenium stage w/120 seat house) with adjacent scene & costume shops, storage areas, green room) include, with the assistance of other drama faculty:

• Supervise and manage the shops, storage areas, and the technical equipment and materials;
• Coordinate, maintain, and update all safety protocols associated with shops, storage, and performance spaces.
• Advise and collaborate on planning of the theatre and music production/performance season, including scenic and technical materials.
• Participate in weekly production meetings in the approximately two months preceding productions the department’s theatre performances (approx. 2 small-stage and 1 main-stage productions per year).
• Coordinate build schedules and technical rehearsals, supervising the same.
• Oversee the planning, installation, and strikes of scenery, and technical equipment and materials.
• Assist in coordinating university and community events, and staffing of events in the Beier and small auditoriums, while consulting and working collaboratively with faculty, university staff, Conference and Events staff, and event sponsors (approx. 20 hours per month).

Required Qualifications

• MA or MFA in technical theatre.
• Experience supervising student workers.
• Experience with carpentry, electric and sound.
• Knowledge of theatre safety and health procedures.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of teaching experience at the university level.
• Ability to demonstrate inclusive teaching skills in engaging undergraduates from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
• Experience managing productions and theatre facilities.

Application

Application materials should include a letter of interest responding to the position description, a statement of teaching philosophy, a curriculum vitae including contact information for at least three professional references, and official or unofficial graduate and undergraduate transcripts. All application materials should be submitted as a single PDF file with page numbers. Candidates will need to successfully complete an interview, likely through Zoom, but hopefully on campus, where teaching evaluations may be requested. Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.   Application materials should be sent to:

Patti Lake
Personnel Officer
The University of Montana Western
710 South Atlantic Street
Dillon, MT 59725
patricia.lake@umwestern.edu

Inquiries can be emailed to Dr. Judy Ulrich at judy.ulrich@umwestern.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The University & Dillon Area

The University of Montana Western is a dynamic, innovative, undergraduate university with over 65 full-time faculty and 1,300 students. It is located in Dillon, Montana in the scenic Rocky Mountains and has been awarded numerous top national rankings for delivering high quality, affordable education.

Montana Western is the only public four-year college in the nation offering Experience One (X1), experiential learning delivered on the block schedule. Class sizes are small and students take a single course at a time, three hours each day for 18 days, before moving on to the next course. Each course is four credits and four blocks are offered each semester. The block schedule facilitates field and lab work, undergraduate research, study travel, and interdisciplinary teaching. Montana Western’s faculty strongly believe in mentoring and inspiring students, and assisting them in the transition from university life to professional careers.

The University of Montana Western is an integral part of the Dillon Community. With a population of 5,000 people, Dillon is known for outstanding public schools, safe environments, recreational opportunities, and an excellent quality of life.

The University of Montana Western is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from qualified women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities. Qualified candidates may request veterans‚ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. Finalists for any position will be subject to a criminal background investigation.