Opera Lighting Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Preferred Application Due Date: November 20, 2026 (Posting will remain open until position is filled)
College Information:
The College of Fine Arts and Design is a center of excellence and innovation for improving and promoting arts education. Founded in 2001, the college combines the experience of Oklahoma's oldest public educational institution with a forward focus on the significance of the arts in the 21st century. The College of Fine Arts and Design nurtures leadership qualities in its students, expanding the scope and qualities of their career opportunities. The institution's emphasis on student-centered education enables them to interact and collaborate with over one hundred outstanding full and part-time faculty members dedicated to developing the artist, scholar, creative professional, educator, citizen, and leader. The College of Fine Arts and Design consists of six academic units: the Department of Art, Department of Dance, School of Design, Department of Theatre Arts, School of Music, and the Academy of Contemporary Music. The college boasts programs approved by accrediting agencies National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). For further information, please visit http://www.uco.edu/cfad.
Position Summary:
The Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Central Oklahoma invites applications for a Full-Time Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Design and Technical Theatre specializing in scenic, lighting, sound, and projection/animation design and technology-here collectively referred to as Scenic and Media Design.
Department Specific Essential Job Functions:
The successful candidate will teach introductory and advanced courses in scenic and media design and other generalized theatre courses. Additional duties include development and execution of scenic and media designs for the theatre, musical theatre, dance and opera; mentorship of student designers and technicians; student recruitment and retention; curriculum development; continued demonstration of research/scholarly/creative activities; participation in the shared governance of the Department of Theatre Arts; and service at the department, college, and university levels. This candidate will join our current Design and Technology faculty and support staff and share in our mutual commitment to teaching and mentoring undergraduate students while demonstrating collegial collaboration within the Department of Theatre Arts and the College of Fine Arts & Design.
Qualifications / Experience:
M.F.A. in Scenic, Lighting/Media Design or Technical Theatre required.
Minimum of three years of university-level teaching experience preferred.
Two or more years of professional experience preferred.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Applicants must have prior knowledge and experience with best practices in scenic and media design for the theatre, including operation of industry-standard programs and equipment for scenic, lighting, sound, and video projection/animation. The successful candidate will demonstrate proficiency in instruction of these systems at the college level, along with practical application of the requisite skill sets in a professional production environment. Applicants must also have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office systems, possess excellent communication and leadership skills, and manage multiple tasks effectively under deadlines.
UCO expects its faculty to be accessible to students beyond the classroom hours. Intellectual interactions with students are part of the university culture. Faculty members in the performing arts frequently have obligations in the evening and on weekends.
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position requires a physical.
This position requires a physical. The physical requirements are:

• Ability to lift 50 lbs. regularly and 75 lbs. occasionally.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and carry 200 feet.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and carry up/down 30 stairs.
• Ability to walk regularly for long periods of time across the campus.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to use and reach with hands and arms regularly.
• Ability to climb in high places using a ladder or balance frequently.
• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, bend and crawl occasionally.
• Ability to push or pull dolly loaded with up to 120 pounds for 300 feet occasionally.
• Must have close, distance, and peripheral vision.
• Depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Pass PFT (pulmonary function test)

Required Documents
Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Curriculum Vitae
Transcript (Highest Degree Obtained)
Teaching Philosophy.
List of Professional References
Link to Professional Website or Digital Portfolio