Assistant Professor of Theater in Lighting Design

Department: Col of Visual and Performing Arts

Classification: 9-month Instructional Faculty

Job Category: Instructional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Salary: Salary range $70k-$85k, commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The George Mason University School of Theater provides a rigorous, creative, and nurturing environment where we encourage conceptual and cultural diversity. Students establish a professional work ethic, collaborate with others, and take responsibility for individual, as well as group efforts as they prepare for a life and career beyond graduation. We challenge our students to think critically, write clearly and persuasively, and express themselves through a course of study combining a liberal arts education with practical training and production experience. Theater is a universal expression of the human spirit. Our School embraces and ensures this expression through the study of historical, contemporary, and cultural traditions, training in the craft, and the presentation of plays.

About the Position:

The Term Assistant Professor of Lighting Design is a one-year full-time (non-tenure track) faculty position with potential for renewal, starting in August 2025.

Responsibilities:

• Teaching:  Scaffold and teach undergraduate design courses, 3 in the fall, and 3 in the spring semester.
• Mentorship:  Mentor student designers in production.
• Designing:  Design at least one show every academic year in our production season.
• Governance and Service:  Serve on the School of Theater, College of Visual and Performing Arts, and George Mason University governance committees as assigned by the Director, School of Theater; additional responsibilities negotiated with the Director of the School of Theater. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field;
• MFA or terminal degree in Lighting Design, or related field, and at least three years of professional experience as a theater designer in Regional and/or Higher Education settings. Candidates without the terminal degree but with substantial equivalent professional experience may be considered;
• Experience with multiple modes of theater practice which may include devised processes, physical theater, musical theater, and experimental theater among others; and
• Knowledge of Vectorworks and/or other lighting design software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in related field.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Assistant Professor of Theater in Lighting Design at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and CV.

Posting Open Date:  March 10, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  April 7, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes