Professor Lighting Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Employment Status:
Full time (29-40 Hrs)
Type of Employment:
Faculty
# of openings:
1
Location:
ASU-Jonesboro
Proposed Salary Range:
Commensurate with Experience
Closing:
11/9/26
Please note: All postings close at 12 A.M. CST on the closing date. This employer participates in E-Verify.
Position Summary:
The Department of Theatre at Arkansas State University invites applications for a Full-Time Assistant Professor of Theatre in Dance and Choreography. This is a 9-month tenure-track teaching appointment starting Fall 2027.
Duties & Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Teaching a 4/4 load, which typically includes three academic courses and one production course (directing/choreographing). Other possible courses include, but are not limited to, Theatre Appreciation, Ballet, Musical Theatre Dance, Jazz Dance, Tap Dance, Folk and other Dance courses as determined by the faculty member's area(s) of specialty and expertise.
• Maintaining an active record of research and/or creative activity
• Overseeing the Stage Manager for shows when directing.
• Attending evening/weekend rehearsals as appropriate
• Mentoring and supervising student choreographers and dance captains.
• Being available for student supervision during evening and weekend rehearsals and performances
• Working collegially and collaboratively with students and faculty.

Department Overview:
The Arkansas State University Department of Theatre offers rigorous theatre training in a liberal arts environment. Students receive a comprehensive education, whether choosing a general approach or the more select experiences within the three emphases: Acting, Design and Technology, or Musical Theatre. The curriculum is designed to combine classroom instruction with practical production experience, as both are integral to the student's development. Classroom experiences provide theoretical, historical, and critical examinations of the theatre as art, craft, and discipline, while production experiences offer practical opportunities for exploring and applying these concepts. This liberal arts-based education provides opportunities to master critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving skills, preparing graduates to become engaged, thoughtful, and compassionate citizens of a global world.
Facilities:
The Department of Theatre is housed within Fowler Center, Arkansas State University's premier performing arts complex. The 344-seat Drama Theatre serves as the primary venue for plays and musicals, featuring stepped seating to maximize sight lines and acoustics designed for spoken drama productions. The proscenium features a 40' x 20' opening, and a complete catwalk system provides access for lighting and rigging areas. The stage house features a suspended floor and full fly-loft, rigged so that scenic properties may be "flown" out of view.
Adjacent to the Drama Theatre is the Simpson Theatre, a flexible black box space that allows for various configurations, providing students opportunities to develop skills required to work in many different kinds of venues.
Additional facilities include a Light Lab equipped with intelligent LED theatrical lighting and a small theatrical sound system, a Design Lab featuring Apple iMacs with CAD, lighting and sound design software, and access to Adobe's Creative Cloud, as well as drafting tables and a wide-format printer. The Costume Shop is equipped with 14 Bernina sewing machines, industrial irons, sergers, a dye vat, cutting tables, and an embroidery machine. The Scene Shop is among the finest in the region, equipped with a variety of professional-grade stationary and portable power tools, as well as a 3D printer.
About Arkansas State University:
Arkansas State University (A-State), founded in 1909, is the second largest university in Arkansas and serves over 15,000 students. As a Carnegie Research 2 institution and the premier university of the mid-South, A-State is committed to teaching, research, and service. Located in Jonesboro, A-State offers a vibrant campus life with a diverse student body and a strong tradition of student-focused instruction. With more than 150 degree programs, including robust online offerings, A-State combines world-class research with academic excellence and is a catalyst for progress in the Delta and Mid-South region.
About Jonesboro:
Jonesboro is the regional hub of Northeast Arkansas for healthcare, entertainment, business and industry. It is the 5th largest city in Arkansas with a population of over 76,000. The Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) encompasses over 130,000 people. The A-State campus is centrally located in Jonesboro with the thriving downtown entertainment sector to the west and the growing Hilltop area to the east. Jonesboro provides convenient access to major markets via interstate and four-lane highways. Memphis, TN (1 hour), Little Rock, AR (2 hours), St. Louis, MO (4 hours), and Nashville, TN (4 hours).
Additional Considerations:

• Experience directing theatrical productions.
• Experience teaching Theatre for non-majors.
• Experience teaching ballet or other foundational dance techniques.
• Membership in professional organizations such as SETC, ACDA, or MTEA.
• Other Teaching Areas of Expertise: Stage Combat, Movement for Actors, Yoga, Non-Western Dance Techniques

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Applicant should present evidence of excellence in teaching, active scholarly and creative work, knowledge of current trends in the field, and artistic leadership in the areas of theatrical dance and choreography.
General Days/Hours:
Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM plus additional hours
for production(s) on weekdays, weekends and evenings.
Other:
Application deadline: Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Applications for position F00266 must be received online. This position is housed on the Jonesboro campus.
Visit https://jobs.astate.edu for detailed information and to apply for the position.
Please upload the following:
• Cover letter addressing qualifications
• Curriculum vitae
• Indication of professional dance and/or choreography work,
such as a portfolio, performance reel, or documentation of creative work.
• Contact information for five professional references
Transcripts will be requested by the search committee after initial screening of applicants.
For additional information, please contact: DayDay Robinson, Assistant Professor of Theatre. Email: drobinson@astate.edu
Minimum Qualifications:
• M.F.A. in Theatre, Dance, or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in teaching both dance and choreography for theatrical productions.
E-Verify Participation Notice:
https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf
E-Verify Right to Work:
https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng_Es.pdf