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What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Professor Lighting Designer, and why are they important?

To succeed as a Professor Lighting Designer, you need a strong background in lighting design, theater production, and an advanced degree (often MFA or PhD) in a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard lighting control systems (such as ETC or GrandMA), design software like Vectorworks, and teaching platforms is essential. Exceptional communication, creativity, mentorship abilities, and organizational skills distinguish outstanding professionals in this role. These competencies ensure effective teaching, innovative design work, and the ability to guide and inspire students in both academic and practical environments.

What are Professor Lighting Designers?

Professor Lighting Designers are professionals who teach lighting design at the college or university level, while also often working as lighting designers for theater, film, television, or live events. They combine academic responsibilities—such as lecturing, mentoring students, and conducting research—with practical experience in designing lighting setups for productions. Their role is to educate future lighting designers by sharing industry knowledge, overseeing student projects, and sometimes managing campus productions. Additionally, they may contribute to scholarly work in the field of lighting design.

How does a Professor Lighting Designer typically collaborate with other faculty and students on theatrical productions?

A Professor Lighting Designer often works closely with directors, set designers, technical staff, and students to create cohesive lighting plans for university productions. They mentor student designers, supervise lighting crews, and lead workshops or courses on lighting techniques. Collaboration is key, as professors must balance their creative vision with educational objectives, ensuring students gain hands-on experience while meeting the artistic needs of each show. This teamwork fosters a supportive learning environment and helps prepare students for professional work in the field.

What is the difference between Professor Lighting Designer vs Lighting Designer?

AspectProfessor Lighting DesignerLighting Designer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in theater, lighting design, or related field; often with teaching credentialsRequires a degree or certification in lighting design or related discipline
Work EnvironmentAcademic settings, theaters, universities, and training programsPerformance venues, film, television, events, and architectural projects
Employer & IndustryUniversities, colleges, and educational institutionsProduction companies, theaters, event organizers, architectural firms

While both roles involve lighting design expertise, Professor Lighting Designer primarily works in educational and academic settings, focusing on teaching and research, whereas Lighting Designer works in live productions, events, and commercial projects. The roles share foundational skills but differ in environment and focus.

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Infographic showing various Professor Lighting Designer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Assistant Professor of Lighting Design

Wofford College

Spartanburg, SC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

The Department of Theatre at Wofford College invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Lighting Design, beginning August 2026. We seek a dynamic artist-educator who is excited to engage with undergraduate students in a liberal arts setting and contribute to a collaborative and forward-thinking theatre program. The Department is housed in the Rosalind S. Richardson Center for the Arts, a state-of-the-art building (opened 2017) that is home to both theatre and visual arts, including a 325-seat proscenium theatre, a 100-seat black box theatre, classrooms, and offices, in addition to extensive gallery, museum, and studio spaces.
For more information about Wofford College and the Department of Theatre, visit the Theatre program page.
Teaching and Production Responsibilities
The successful candidate will
  • Serve as the department's resident lighting designer
  • Teach at least two courses per semester related to design and production, with flexibility to teach in related areas of expertise or interest. The teaching load is 3:1:3, typically including two classroom courses and one course equivalent for production design responsibilities, plus a flexible Interim course during January.
  • Design lighting for all departmental productions (typically 3-4 annually), including:
    • Two main stage shows
    • Two black box projects
    • A student-directed January term production
    • End-of-semester course showcases
  • Mentor and supervise student lighting designers and technicians
  • Maintain and oversee lighting systems in two well-equipped performance venues
  • Collaborate closely with faculty, staff, and guest artists to support a vibrant season

Qualifications
  • MFA in Theatre Design (with a concentration in Lighting Design) required by August 2026 (or MFA in Lighting Design, Theatre Design, Theatre Technology, or another similar terminal degree required by August 2026)
  • Demonstrated excellence or potential in undergraduate teaching (strongly preferred)
  • Professional or academic lighting design experience
  • Commitment to inclusive teaching and supporting a diverse student body
  • Strong collaborative, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills (and a sense of humor)
  • Experience with ETC lighting sytems is required. Knowledge of Vectorworks (preferred) or AutoCAD, QLab, and Lightwright required. Knowledge of Sketchup, Revit, Solidworks, Rhino, or similar programs desirable.

Application Process
For your application to be fully considered, please apply via the Wofford Careers Page and be sure to include the following:
  • Cover letter addressing qualifications and interest in the position
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Portfolio of lighting design work (PDF or link to online portfolio)
  • Statement of teaching philosophy, including approach to inclusive pedagogy
  • Contact information for three professional references

Applications received by February 15, 2026, will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.
ABOUT WOFFORD COLLEGE
Wofford College, established in 1854, is a private liberal arts residential college located a few blocks north of downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina. Wofford offers 27 major fields of study to a student body of nearly 1,800 undergraduates and is nationally known for the strength of its academic program, outstanding faculty, and study abroad participation. Wofford is home to one of the nation's 290 Phi Beta Kappa chapters. The college community supports 19 NCAA Division I athletics teams and numerous student organizations, including honor societies, professional organizations, faith-based organizations, Greek life, and club sports.
SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
Spartanburg is located in upstate South Carolina, 30 miles east of Greenville, South Carolina, an hour from Charlotte, North Carolina, and three hours east of Atlanta, Georgia. Historic Charleston and the South Carolina coast are three hours away, and Wofford sits an hour south of the artistic, culinary hub of Asheville, North Carolina. Spartanburg is a growing, diverse community that supports six college and university campuses along with numerous civic arts and cultural associations. It became the first city in South Carolina to join the Government Alliance on Race and Equity and, in 2012, became one of five cities nationally to participate in the 10-year Wellville program, a national nonprofit initiative dedicated to improving equitable well-being in U.S. cities. Spartanburg and Wofford partner on multiple community equity initiatives, including the Northside Initiative, which has brought together a diverse group of citizens to revitalize a neighborhood in ways that don't reproduce the harm of earlier urban renewal programs.
EEO STATEMENT
Wofford College values diversity within our students, faculty and staff and strives to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people. Wofford College does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For information about Wofford's Title IX compliance, visit wofford.edu/administration/title-ix. It is the policy of Wofford College to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities for employment. If you require any accommodations to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact HumanResources@Wofford.edu.

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