Lecturer (Communication Arts - Theatre/Technical Director)

The Department of Communication Arts in the College of the Arts seeks applicants for a 12-month non-tenure-track faculty position beginning July 1, 2022.  The position will serve as Technical Director of the Theatre Program and Peach State Summer Theatre.  The lecturer position is renewable with a pathway for possible promotion to senior lecturer.  The selected candidate will be responsible for teaching courses in the candidate’s area of expertise and providing service to the department and college.

Valdosta State University is proud to have a highly diverse student body, and we are seeking to recruit and retain outstanding candidates who exhibit a clear commitment to diversity and inclusion and who will enhance the diversity of our faculty and staff. 

The VSU Theatre and Dance Programs are one of six programs, including a master’s degree in Communication Arts. The program has ten full-time faculty and over 120 majors. We enjoy strong university support as one of the more extensive programs in the University.  The Peach State Summer Theatre program is the Official Musical Theatre of Georgia.  Each summer, a company of some 60 actor-singers, dancers, technicians, managers, and creators will reside in Valdosta for a ten-week season.  During that time, they will rehearse, build and present three musicals in rotating repertory.  Valdosta State University has produced professional summer musical theatre since 1990. 

For more information, contact Dr. Borzi, Head, Department of Communication Arts, via email at mgborzi@valdosta.edu or phone at 229-333-5820.  For more information on the Department, visit http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/communication-arts. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is responsible for teaching courses in technical theatre, set construction, drafting, and other courses as needed.  As technical director, the individual will:

• Oversee the technical aspects of scenery and lighting while supervising creative and technical sound elements for a six-production academic season, including theatrical and dance performances.
• Oversee the technical aspects of scenery and lighting for a three-production season for Peach State Summer Theatre;
• Supervise the scene shop;
• Be responsible for training students on the safe use of the theater equipment, systems, and facilities;
• Additional duties for fundraisers;
• Advise student stage managers.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's Degree in Technical Theatre or closely related field by appointment date
• Technical Theatre Experience;
• Working knowledge of theatrical carpentry, lighting equipment, sound systems, and troubleshooting and maintenance of equipment;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, QLab, and computer-aided drafting programs (AutoCAD preferred);
• Knowledge of industry-standard rigging practices and protocols;
• Understanding of industry-standard safety practices and protocols;
• Experience in welding;
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative setting;
• Ability to work nights and weekends;
• Responsible for training students on the safe use of the theater's equipment, systems, and facilities;
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds, to climb ladders, and use mechanical lifts;

• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and learning;
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A record of effective teaching appropriate to the applicant’s career stage;
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative setting;
• A record of mentoring students of diverse backgrounds;
• Professional technical theatre experience;
• Experiences of industry standards for the rigging of aerial silks.

Online application is required and should be submitted by November 18, 2021.   

The VSU College of the Arts includes the Department of Art & Design, the Department of Music, and the Department of Communication Arts (Communication, Emergent Media, Mass Media, Public Relations, Theatre & Dance). The College of the Arts is also home to the award-winning Valdosta Symphony Orchestra and the Peach State Summer Theatre, designated as the Official Musical Theatre of the State of Georgia. VSU is accredited by NASAD, NASM, and NAST. With nearly 90 faculty members and approximately 1,100 students, the College offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. For more information, https://www.valdosta.edu/coa. 

Valdosta State University is a regional comprehensive university located on a gorgeous 168-acre campus of palm trees, vast green lawns, Spanish mission-style architecture, and an award-winning design. The university serves a student enrollment of approximately 11,750 from all states within the US and hosts over 300 international students from more than 76 countries. It is located in Valdosta, a family-friendly area with new housing developments, modest living costs, excellent public and private schools, a vibrant music and arts scene, and a 170-acre theme park, Wild Adventures. The city is served by the Valdosta Regional Airport and is home to Moody Air Force Base. It is located just north of the Florida state line on Interstate 75. It is within a two-hour drive of Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida, and a three-hour drive of Atlanta, Georgia. For more information, visit https://www.valdosta.edu, or for information about the community, visit https://www.valdostachamber.com.   

Valdosta State University is an Equal Opportunity educational institution with a strong institutional commitment to diversity and inclusion. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including (but not limited to) minorities and individuals with disabilities. Valdosta State University has a non-discrimination policy, including sex, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, and veteran status.