Ast Inst/Inst/Ast Prof - Fixed Term

Fixed Term • East Lansing, MI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Theatre seeks to hire a full-time, one-year Fixed-Term Assistant Professor, Instructor, or Assistant Instructor of Scene Design (with possible renewal), starting August 16, 2026. The successful candidate will be a collaborative member in a production environment and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Scene Design, Media Design, Scene Painting, and Drafting, as well as courses in the University’s Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities. Other classes to be taught may include introduction to technical theatre, topics in production design, and graduate design studio. The candidate will participate in departmental production activities and design (or mentor student designers) in department productions each year, supervise scenic painters and properties artisans, and mentor/supervise student designers. Continued work in the professional field is encouraged. Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre is a vibrant organization offering a BA, BFA (acting, design, and stage management), MFA (acting and design), and Minors in Dance and Musical Theatre. The Department presents a series of major productions each academic year.

Requirements

• MFA or MA in scenic design preferred; BA or BFA in scenic design considered with 5 years of professional experience.
• Experience teaching at the college level.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and/or Vectorworks.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A positive attitude and the ability to effectively collaborate with others.

Nice To Haves

• Strong mentorship of scenic design, props, paint, and/or media for graduate and/or undergraduate students
• Proficiency in traditional craftspersonship and modern technology to produce high-quality scenic or media designs
• Union/professional affiliations

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Scene Design, Media Design, Scene Painting, and Drafting.
• Teach courses in the University’s Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities.
• Teach introduction to technical theatre, topics in production design, and graduate design studio.
• Participate in departmental production activities.
• Design (or mentor student designers) in department productions each year.
• Supervise scenic painters and properties artisans.
• Mentor/supervise student designers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level