Assistant Educator/Assistant Teaching Professor of Performing Arts – Design and Technical Theatre

Department: School of Performing Arts

Campus Location: Wichita, KS – WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Work Schedule: Varied depending upon class, rehearsal, and production schedule.

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

Housed within the College of Fine Arts, the School of Performing Arts at Wichita State University seeks a dynamic and experienced colleague to enhance our design and technical theatre program. The Assistant Educator/Assistant Teaching Professor of Performing Arts – Design and Technical Theatre, is a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty position with a focus in stage and production management that will teach, advise, mentor, and recruit undergraduate performing arts majors in design and technical theatre. Applicants must be committed to fostering an inclusive environment and promoting the success of first-generation and underrepresented students. The academic appointment for this position will be effective August 4, 2025.

We are seeking a new colleague that is committed to undergraduate education, fostering an inclusive environment for first-generation students, and promoting the success of underrepresented students through inclusive excellence practices. Learn more about the School of Performing Arts and Dance Program at www.wichita.edu/spa.

About the School of Performing Arts (SPA)

Offering a BFA and BA in Performing Arts with concentrations in Dance (BA/BFA), Design & Technical Theatre (BFA), Musical Theatre (BFA), Theatre Performance/Acting (BFA), and Theatre Studies (BA), the School of Performing Arts values and promotes applied learning in the classroom, studio, on stage & screen, in the community and through site-specific engagement and performance. In addition to curricular-related showings on and off campus, the school annually produces and engages in applied learning through plays, a national student playwriting competition, dance and theatre films, audio shows, dance concerts, musicals, a musical theatre incubator program, and more. Three student-led organizations produce shows and events as well.

To enhance and broaden students’ knowledge and career preparation, SPA offers several certificates including: Directing, Stage Management, Voice Acting, Choreography, Dance and Digital Performance, and Commercial Dance. Several certificates and courses are in collaboration with the School of Digital Arts, the School of Music, the Honors College, and the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for teaching and service, as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties

Primary responsibilities include courses focused on management and inclusive applied production processes. Additional courses may include general education theatre courses, design and technical theatre courses, as well as courses in the candidate’s other areas of specialization or interest.

Our new colleague will teach foundational and upper-division lecture and applied courses, primarily in stage and production management. They will serve as Production Coordinator for our main school-led applied productions, working closely with faculty across the programs in our school. Areas of curricular involvement may also include coursework in design and technical theatre and general education theatre courses depending on curricular needs and as interest, expertise, and faculty load allows.

Position responsibilities also include leading as production coordinator for applied school-led productions/projects in dance, musical theatre, and theatre (typically an annual play, musical, and dance concert). A successful candidate will demonstrate commitment to undergraduate pedagogy, and a strong desire to work collaboratively.

All candidates for faculty positions should be able to demonstrate the ability to successfully educate and empower a diverse student population.

Required Education and Experience:

• Graduate level degree or Equivalent Experience in the Field
• Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

1. BA or BFA in Theatre, or related studies
2. Evidence of achievement in production management.
3. Evidence of achievement in stage management.
4. Evidence of a commitment to culturally relevant, diverse, and inclusive teaching practices.
5. Experience teaching undergraduate students.

• Terminal degree is required for Assistant Teaching Professor.**

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to manage live performance or similar projects/events.
• Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate courses in stage and production management.
• Demonstrated ability to teach general education theatre courses.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to accommodate a variety of learning styles and strategies in instructional delivery and learning activities, including online and blended learning, flexible teaching methods, and applied learning approaches.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MFA in Theatre, or related studies with a focus in production or stage management.
• Three years teaching experience at full-time or equivalent course load in higher education.
• Experience in production/stage management for university productions.
• Ability to teach design and technical theatre courses beyond stage/production management.
• Leadership experience in higher education.

Additional Information:

REQUIRED APPLICANT MATERIALS:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Teaching Philosophy, including approaches to inclusive pedagogies

Digital Portfolio

Optional Documents:

Sample Syllabus/i

Priority deadline for applications being reviewed is February 2, 2025

Only advancing candidate’s references will be contacted for letters of recommendation.

For more information contact: Amy Baker Schwiethale, Professor – Chair, Assistant Educator/Assistant Teaching Professor of Performing Arts – Design and Technical Theatre Search Committee, Wichita State University Email: amy.baker@wichita.edu

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position – Frequent 60-90%; Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators – Frequent 60-90%

Additional Physical Requirement:

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