Assistant Professor – Theatre and Dance – Technical Direction

Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) – Technical Direction
The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance
Full-Time

The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position, Assistant Professor of Technical Direction, beginning August 1, 2025. The candidate will join an energetic 25-person theatre and dance faculty and staff, including the following design faculty: scene designer, costume designer, lighting designer, sound designer, a new design faculty (TBD), and the following full-time staff: scene shop supervisor, costume shop supervisor, and front of house staff. The only university in the state of Missouri with an official mission in the performing arts, Southeast Missouri State University is also a founding member of the Yamaha Schools of Excellence. Dobbins Conservatory has 275 majors and is ranked as the #1 undergraduate theatre program in the state and in the Top 30 musical theatre programs in the nation. The program operates in the outstanding River Campus facilities as part of the Holland College of Arts and Media. The university is accredited by NAST and is home of the Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach two courses per semester in such areas as theatre technology, scenic construction, stagecraft, scene painting, technical drawing, properties construction, electrics, stage management, rehearsal and production, and other related areas of production
• In coordination with the scene shop supervisor, provide supervision and participate in the operations of the scene shop including organization, planning, preparation of construction documents, engineering, purchasing, and similar tasks necessary for pre-production of all conservatory productions
• Create and maintain daily/weekly/monthly operation schedules and production calendars for all conservatory productions
• In coordination with conservatory faculty & staff, assign and monitor student crew assignments
• Actively participate in the planning, pre-production, construction, installation, operation, and strike of scenery, rigging, properties, electrics, and other areas for all conservatory productions, while overseeing quality control and safety
• In coordination with other design faculty & staff supervise, instruct, and mentor all students, assistants, workers, and volunteers for all conservatory productions
• Oversee safety in all areas of technical production for conservatory productions
• Oversee the technical direction of all technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, performances, and strikes of annual conservatory productions
• Perform routine maintenance on equipment and systems, as well as inventory
• Recruit, mentor, and advise BFA and BA majors in design/tech
• Participate in academic department, college, and university student recruitment and retention activities
• Serve on conservatory, college, and university committees as assigned

  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master’s degree in technical theatre, design, or related area. Master of Fine Arts degree in technical theatre, design, or related area, is a plus. (Degree must be from regionally accredited or internationally accredited/government certified university.)
• Minimum of three (3) years’ work experience as a professional technical director in a professional and/or higher educational setting
• Extensive proven experience with CAD for producing technical and construction drawings for theatre
• Demonstrated experience in accurately interpreting designer & technical drawings for theatre
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain a safe working environment
• Demonstrated ability to create and adhere to production budgets and deadlines, without compromising designs
• Demonstrated record of success working with and instructing apprentices, interns, or students of all levels
• Demonstrated woodworking skills as they pertain to theatrical construction
• Demonstrated metalworking skills as they pertain to theatrical construction
• Ability to supervise stage electrics
• Evidence of excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Commitment to collegiality when interacting with others within the University community

As a public regional university (with a graduate mission), Southeast seeks candidates with a commitment to excellent undergraduate (and graduate) education and student success within the framework of the teacher-scholar model. Applications of instructional technology and pedagogical research are supported through the Center for Teaching and Learning and SEMO Online. Successful candidates will contribute to the development of innovative curricula and delivery strategies, including traditional, blended, and online formats, and participate in initiatives promoting student success, retention, and degree completion.

REQUIRED INFORMATION & DEADLINE:

Application Deadline:  The review of applications will begin immediately. The position is available August 1, 2025, and will remain open until filled.

To Apply: Complete the online application HERE. You will need to submit the following items for your application to be considered complete:

• Letter of interest addressing all position qualifications
• Current CV
• Unofficial copies of graduate transcripts (official transcripts are required when an offer of employment is accepted)
• Names and contact information of three professional references
• Link(s) to online personal or other websites demonstrating quality work as a technical director

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Department Website: The Jeanine Larson Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance

About Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO): Founded in 1873 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Southeast Missouri State University provides student-centered education and experiential learning with a foundation of liberal arts and sciences, embracing a tradition of access, exceptional teaching, and commitment to student success that significantly contributes to the development of the region and beyond. SEMO values access to high-quality, affordable education with a broadly representative student body, faculty, and staff that respects and celebrates a diverse learning community in a global society.

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