Assistant/Associate Professor of Performance Design & Technology

Alfred University Performing Arts Division invites applications for a full-time, tenure track Assistant or Associate Professor of Performance Design and Technology beginning August 2025 with an option to start January 2025.

The ideal candidate will have an MFA or equivalent in Scenic Design or a closely related field. The candidate should have teaching experience, preferably at the college level, and significant professional experience with a robust design portfolio. Candidates should have an ability to work and teach collaboratively, and a strong commitment to undergraduate education. The ideal candidate specializes in scenic design - but we welcome candidates to highlight other areas of expertise such as sound, costume, projection, or lighting design.

In addition to teaching introductory and advanced courses for the Performing Arts Division's Performance Design & Technology Department, other responsibilities include designing and/or overseeing student designers in all areas for theatre and dance productions.

The combined teaching and artistic load will not exceed 12 credit equivalency per semester. Performing Arts productions are supported by full-time staff including: a Technical Director, a Production Manager, and a Costume Shop Manager. This position will help guide and grow the Performance Design & Technology Department as we launch the new interdisciplinary BFA in Performing Arts.

Salary: Assistant Professor $54,000-$60,000; Associate Professor $58,000-$65,000

The successful candidate will:

• Collaborate:
  • Work effectively with faculty, students, staff, and guest artists from diverse backgrounds
  • In production, work with directors, designers, technical staff, actors, and student workers in a collaborative environment
  • Develop designs that fit the needs of the production, and production budget
  • Oversee student designers or assistant designers as needed
  • Attend all design meetings, production meetings, and technical rehearsals

Develop and teach undergraduate courses in Performance Design & Technology:

• In cooperation with other division faculty and staff, tailor courses to prepare students both for educational and professional production work
• This includes introductory and advanced courses, potentially encompassing areas like:
  • Scenic Painting, Scenic Design, Lighting, and other topics within the candidate's area of expertise

Mentorship and Guidance:

• Provide individualized support to students throughout their academic journey, helping them refine their design skills, cultivate their artistic voices, and help them gain the confidence to become inspiring artists and educators

To Apply: Please submit the following materials:

• Digital portfolio via web link (please include a link to your website, or a PDF file not to exceed 10MB)
• Cover Letter in which you address the question: "Why this job?"
• Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for three professional references
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement illustrating how you engage with diversity, equity and inclusion as a mentor/educator and artist (not to exceed 600 words)

Applications will be given full consideration if received by September 15, 2024.

Alfred University
Located in rural Western NY, Alfred University is the second oldest co-educational college in the United States and one of the earliest to have enrolled African American and Native American students. Ideal candidates will demonstrate an appreciation of issues that matter to our university community, such as diversity and social justice.

The Division of Performing Arts includes four departments: Theater, Music, Dance and Performance Design & Technology housed in excellent facilities. Theater and Music offer BA degrees, and all departments offer minors. For more information, visit: www.alfred.edu/ academics/ colleges-schools/performing-arts/
The Division of Performing Arts is part of Alfred University, an accredited member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Protected veterans, minorities and women are encouraged to apply.