Visiting Assistant Professor of Production and Stage Management

Position Details

Position Type Visiting Professor Classification Title Visiting Professor Position's Functional Title Visiting Assistant Professor of Production and Stage Management Position Start Date 08/16/2021 Position End Date (if temporary) Position Summary
Governors State University (University Park, IL) is a minority serving institution inviting applications a one-year, non-tenure track Visiting Assistant Professor in Production and Stage Management (ranging from .75 – 1.0 FTE ), to begin in the Fall 2021 semester. The visiting faculty member will teach Theatre and Performance Studies ( TAPS ) courses in the Division of Arts and Letters and, as part of their duties, also be assigned to serve as the production manager and stage manager for the TAPS season (two mainstage productions, one dance concert).

We seek a teacher-scholar who is committed to enhancing our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and who will complement existing faculty strengths in our Theatre and Performance Studies program. We seek candidates with outstanding teaching skills, evidence of a distinguished record of creative activity/professional credits, as well as service to the institution, discipline, and/or community. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and first-generation college graduates are especially encouraged to apply.

A successful candidate is a teacher/practitioner with teaching and production expertise in both production and stage management. The successful candidate will take on dual responsibilities as production manager and stage manager (accounting for .50 FTE ). These responsibilities include planning and facilitating production meetings; collaborating with director and designers and program faculty; developing relationships with industry partners; running auditions; ongoing communication between director, crew, and cast; organizing students for tech positions; creating and implementing a schedule for tech week; attending and note-taking during rehearsals; setting up and breaking down rehearsal; collecting and archiving forms and information from cast and crew; running rehearsals in the absence of the director; assuring performers and crew are on site; calling the show during productions; and organizing and running strike.

The candidate will also teach (.25 – .50 FTE ) core and elective courses for TAPS majors and minors, such as Theatre Appreciation, Stage Management, Practicum. This position may also assist in delivering the general education courses, including First Year Seminar (an interdisciplinary humanities course) and/or Mastering College. The ability to teach design courses (lighting, scenic, makeup, sound) is also preferred.

Governors State University is the only regional public comprehensive university in Chicago’s south suburban area, serving more than 5,500 students annually. Since its founding in 1969, GSU has offered accessible, high-value educational opportunities to a culturally diverse student body of first-generation students, returning adults, and veterans. With the lowest undergraduate tuition in Illinois, GSU offers accredited programs that have earned high praise from national accrediting agencies. In 2014, GSU accepted its inaugural class of first-year students as it transitioned from an upper-division and graduate institution into a regional comprehensive university with a state-of-the-art general education program. New faculty at GSU must demonstrate enthusiasm and ability to work with students at all levels, from first-year to graduate.

Through its strategic planning GSU emphasizes excellence, access, and innovation. Students benefit from the university’s academic quality, range of convenient class times, increasingly numerous hybrid and online offerings, and outstanding educational value. Our innovative lower-division program uses high-impact practices to foster student engagement with ethics, citizenship, and innovative thinking. Every first-year class is taught by a full-time faculty member to ensure that students have a strong foundation for their studies. GSU is a national leader in successful transfer of community college students to universities, and is leading through the Kresge-supported Dual Degree Program, with features such as tuition lock-in at GSU for academically eligible community college students who commit to earn an Associate Degree and attend college full-time. GSU offers a wide variety of master’s programs and several applied doctoral degrees in health, counseling fields, and Interdisciplinary Leadership.

GSU’s 750-acre campus encompasses the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park yet is conveniently located within easy reach of Chicago and surrounding communities with a wealth of cultural and natural attractions. The highly diverse region GSU serves has a number of high-performing schools and engaged communities as well as struggling urban, suburban, and rural communities. GSU serves as a public square, working to foster educational opportunities for all populations.

It is the policy of Governors State University, in its role as educator, employer, and purchaser of goods and services, to provide equal opportunity and affirmative action. Discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status is strictly prohibited.

Salary and benefits package are commensurate with education and experience.

Governors State University is the only regional, public, comprehensive university in Chicago’s south suburban area, serving approximately 7,750 students annually. GSU provides accessible, high value undergraduate and graduate education to culturally and economically diverse students. With the lowest undergraduate tuition in Illinois, GSU offers accredited programs that have earned high praise from national accrediting agencies. Founded in 1969, GSU is undergoing major transition this year as we are now are a residential institution, accepting first-year students, transfer and graduate students. The university has an ambitious five-year Academic Master Plan, greatly expanding current programs. GSU is implementing a state-of-the-art General Education program and working to greatly expand student academic and support services to foster student and community engagement. New faculty at GSU must demonstrate enthusiasm and ability to work with students at all levels, from first-year to graduate.

Through its Strategy 2015, GSU emphasizes excellence, access, and innovation. Students benefit from the university’s high academic quality, range of convenient class times, increasing hybrid and online offerings, and outstanding educational value. GSU seeks to become a national leader in successful transfer of community college students to universities, and is leading through the Kresge-supported Dual Degree Program, with features such as tuition lock-in at GSU for academically eligible community college students who commit to earn an Associate Degree and attend college full-time. GSU offers five doctoral degrees in clinical/practice areas of health, counseling, and education.

The exceptionally beautiful campus is conveniently located within easy reach by road and rail to Chicago and surrounding communities that have a wealth of cultural and natural attractions. Minimum Qualifications
1. M.F.A. or terminal degree in Stage Management, Theatre Arts, or a closely related discipline; M.A. or A.B.D. in the final stages of completion will also be considered (and may be appointed as Visiting Instructor).
2. Knowledge and ability to teach undergraduate courses in theatre and performance studies.
3. Documented record of success in production management through academic/professional productions and credits.
4. Documented record of success in stage management through academic/professional productions and credits.
5. Ability to complement the program’s strengths. Preferred Qualifications
1. Experience with first-generation, culturally diverse, and non-traditional students and performers.
2. Demonstrated ability to infuse course content with scholarship related to underrepresented and marginalized groups.
3. Experience teaching courses in theatre appreciation and/or stage management.
4. Ability and interest to teach the interdisciplinary humanities First Year Seminar course.
5. Ability and interest to teach courses in makeup design, lighting design, sound design, and/or scenic design.
6. Experience mentoring students in stage management.
7. Evidence of teaching excellence.
8. Teaching and/or professional experience in multiple fields/subfields. Posting Date 07/01/2021 Closing Date Open Until Filled No Posting Number FA0402P Type of Search External Quicklink for Posting https://employment.govst.edu/postings/6003 Employee ID Department Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, cover letter, teaching philosophy, sample syllabi, unofficial transcripts, and list of professional references by July 1, 2021 to receive full consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled. References will only be contacted prior to candidate interviews. Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * What academic discipline did you earn your degree(s) in?
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
2. * Briefly describe your experience teaching online and specific platform(s) used.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
3. * Do you have a Master’s degree in Theatre or Performance Studies?
   • yes
   • no

Required Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Teaching Philosophy
4. Transcripts
5. List of References

Optional Documents

1. Other
2. Other2
3. Other3