Assistant Professor of Theatre, Scenic Design

Theatre & Cinema in The School of Performing Arts at Virginia Tech (http://www.sopa.vt.edu), a growing program emphasizing traditional and emerging technologies in theatre and cinema practice, fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre, seeks a dynamic, energetic, and creative theatre artist to teach graduate and undergraduate students in scenic design, projection design, scenic artistry, and related crafts. We seek a colleague with recent and continuing professional practice and an attention to detail suited to the artistry of design with an eye towards emerging trends and technologies.

Duties and responsibilities of this tenure-track position will include the design or supervision of scenic design, projection design, artistry, and props for all department productions in our annual season of events; instruction of courses and service as primary advisor on all scenic design topics, projects, and theses to graduate and undergraduate students; research suited to the candidate’s and school’s successful growth; student recruitment; service on school and university committees; occasional travel to attend conferences and meetings; and performance of additional duties as assigned by the Faculty Chair in Theatre and/or the Director of the School of Performing Arts. The successful candidate will instruct students on our productions with a hands-on approach in accordance with our individualized tutorial practice. The successful applicant will be expected to continue to work professionally and to maintain a national profile in the discipline. Initial tenure-track appointment begins in August 2023.

The School of Performing Arts (SOPA) joins the School of Architecture, School of Design, and the School of Visual Arts in comprising the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design (AAD), which launched in July 2022. SOPA offers programs in music, theatre, and cinema at the graduate and undergraduate level. Programs are delivered in Virginia Tech’s Creativity and Innovation District, which concentrates 11 performance spaces within a three-block area on the Blacksburg campus. Performance venues range from the 1,300-seat Moss Arts Center to a 101-seat experimental theatre.

The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design at Virginia Tech affirms our collective responsibility to encourage, build, and embrace the polyculturalism of our world. We do this by acknowledging and addressing our past, recognizing our current responsibility, and acting in the interests of building and sustaining communities that are truly safe, supportive, and inclusive for all. Our commitment is to continually and proactively engage in these processes for the benefit of our students, staff, and faculty across the college and the communities around the world we aim to serve.

MFA in scene design by appointment start date. Professional and academic experience. Proficiency in scenic art, properties, computer aided drafting, computer rendering, and model making. Ability to work at heights, have a valid driver's license, and the ability to travel for conferences and meetings.

Membership in United Scenic Artists. Prior experience teaching, recruiting, and supervising students in a graduate program. Experience in film and television design.

Application Materials

Complete applications will include the following:

1) Curriculum vitae

2) Cover letter expressing interest and qualifications, including summary of relevant experiences and accomplishments, that demonstrates your potential for success in this position

3) Personal statement of teaching interest and philosophy.

4) Personal statement of diversity, inclusion and equity.

5) Portfolio of artistic work (max 9 MB PDF).

6) Reference list of three persons (including the names and titles) the search committee may contact. Including: e-mail addresses and phone numbers.

Regular

Salary range is $65,000 - $70,000 per year

February 20, 2023 - review of submissions will commence on this date and continue until the position is filled

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.