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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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Remote job distribution.
Visiting Professor (Lighting Design)

Visiting Professor (Lighting Design)

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI

Other

Posted 29 days ago

Eastern Michigan University rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

469th of 538 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Visiting Professor (Lighting Design)

Apply now Job no: 495538
Work type: Visiting Faculty
Location: Ypsilanti
Categories: Academic & Student Affairs, College of Arts & Sciences

Title: Visiting Professor (Lighting Design)

Employee Classification: VF - Visiting Fac/Post Doc Fellow

Pay Grade: VF 00

Division: Academic and Student Affairs

Subdivision: School of Comm, Media, Theater Arts

Department: College of Arts and Sciences

Campus Location: Main Campus

General Summary

The School of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts seeks a Visiting Professor of Lighting Design for a one-year appointment with potential for renewal. Classes begin August 31, 2026 and end May 1, 2027.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

  • Teaching 2) classes per semester (Potential classes from Entertainment Design & Production, Theatre, or Arts Management)
  • Designing for 1-2 shows per semester (Lighting design, with potential work in other areas of expertise such as sound or projection design)
  • Teaching/supervising student crew members, designers, and workers in backstage production work 
  • Operating within a typical 10-week production calendar and adhering to predetermined schedules and deadlines
  • Maintaining regular office hours
  • Assessing student work and performance, and assigning and submitting grades in accordance with established University schedules
  • Working with design/production faculty and staff to assess and grade students enrolled in Theatre Practice each semester
  • Attending regular School and Area meetings, as scheduled
  • Producing research/sketches/draftings/renderings/paperwork for design elements
  • Attending production meetings, collaborating with the director and production team
  • Coordinating hang and focus for any show where serving as the LD 
  • Coordinating with the Technical Director to train and supervise student crew members on delegated production area
  • Designing, sourcing, pulling, and renting elements within a pre-established budget
  • Attending company meetings, designer runs, dress rehearsals, and performances, as well as necessary crew calls to supervise student workers
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues on productions
  • Mentoring student designers and crew members, as opportunities arise

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • The successful applicant will have an MFA (or suitable terminal degree) in Lighting Design or a related design discipline with significant professional experience in Lighting Design.
  • In addition, the candidate should have experience teaching at the university level and mentoring student designers. This role requires a working knowledge of modern lighting systems (i.e. networked lighting, show control, and multi-console environments), design software / platforms (i.e. Vectorworks, ETC EOS, LightWright, etc.) and ability to teach them.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in one or more additional design / tech areas (particularly sound and/or projection design)
  • Professional experience in design / technology / production work in the wider entertainment industry (opera, dance, experience design, theme parks, museum / installation, etc)
  • Membership in Union (USA829 / IATSE) and/or professional organizations such as USITT / SETC / ACTF, etc.

Special Instructions:

Please attach a cover letter, CV, 3 references, and a link to your design portfolio (or portfolio file of representative works). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled.

Appointment Percentage:

100%

Advertised: 22 Apr 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 30 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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