Assistant Professor of Practice

University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Practice in Theatre & Film to lead technical production, rigging, fabrication, and safety across School productions.

You will teach and mentor students in CAD, automation, rigging, CNC, and 3D printing, while collaborating across Theatre, Entertainment Design & Production, Film, and Emerging Media Arts to advance the curriculum.

Qualifications

• BFA in Technical Theatre or related field with significant professional experience.
• Minimum two years of professional experience in technical direction or related production work for live entertainment.
• Demonstrated expertise in traditional theatrical craft, construction, fabrication, and contemporary entertainment technology.
• One year of collegiate teaching experience or equivalent instructional experience.
• Demonstrated project-management and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee construction and engineering aspects of School productions, including rigging, fabrication, and safety.
• Develop and implement technical systems supporting both conventional and emerging production methodologies.
• Integrate new production technologies into existing production processes and workflows.
• Provide technical leadership and problem-solving across the School’s production activities.
• Collaborate with faculty across departments to develop shared technical resources and workflows.
• Maintain and advance professional standards for safety, fabrication, rigging, and technical production.
• Teach and mentor students in technical theatre, entertainment technology, fabrication, and evolving production methodologies.
• Contribute to curriculum development and online/digitally supported modalities.
• Oversee facilities and technical resources planning and safety standards.

Skills

project-management

leadership

collaboration

Education

BFA in Technical Theatre

MFA in Technical Theatre

Tools

Vectorworks

AutoCAD

CNC fabrication

3D printing

Job description

Working Title

Assistant Professor of Practice

Department

Johnny Carson School-Theatre & Film-1033

Position Overview

We seek a collaborative technical leader with comprehensive expertise in scenic construction and engineering, rigging and safety, fabrication, and related production disciplines, along with experience with contemporary entertainment technologies such as Vectorworks and/or AutoCAD, automation and show-control systems, CNC fabrication, and 3D printing. The successful candidate will be committed to practice-based learning and understand how foundational craft knowledge informs and enhances technological innovation. They will bring a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration and preparing students for current and future career paths across the entertainment industry. We seek a colleague who is curious about new technologies and methodologies, comfortable working in an evolving educational and production environment, and interested in contributing to the continued development of the School’s curriculum and pedagogical approaches. The successful candidate will have experience managing complex technical operations; demonstrated project-management and leadership skills; and the ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, guest artists, and industry partners.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership and Production

• Oversee the physical construction and engineering aspects of School productions, including rigging, fabrication, and safety.
• Develop and implement technical systems supporting both conventional and emerging production methodologies.
• Integrate new production technologies into existing production processes and workflows.
• Provide technical leadership and problem-solving across the School’s production activities.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff across Entertainment Design & Production, Theatre, Film, and Emerging Media Arts to develop shared technical resources and workflows.
• Maintain and advance professional standards for safety, fabrication, rigging, and technical production.

Teaching and Mentorship

Teach and mentor students in technical theatre, entertainment technology, fabrication, and evolving production methodologies. Depending upon curricular needs and the candidate’s areas of expertise, courses may include:

• Computer-Aided Drafting
• Automation and Computer-Controlled Systems
• Rigging
• Special Effects
• Metalworking
• Entertainment Engineering
• Advanced Materials and Fabrication
• Advanced Carpentry
• CNC and Dimensional Printing Technologies

Curriculum and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Develop course work within the curricular structure that connects traditional craft, fabrication, engineering, and emerging production technologies.
• Foster interdisciplinary learning opportunities across theatre, film, and emerging media.
• Explore new technologies, methodologies, and teaching approaches as entertainment production continues to evolve.
• Contribute, as appropriate, to online and digitally supported curriculum development.

Facilities and Technical Resources

• Contribute to the strategic development of technical facilities supporting the School’s expanding curricular and production needs.
• Help oversee scene shops, fabrication spaces, prop and storage areas, and associated making and production facilities.
• Ensure that facilities and technical practices meet current safety standards while supporting innovative production practices.
• Participate in planning for equipment, technologies, and infrastructure supporting Entertainment Design & Production and interdisciplinary production.

Professional and Industry Engagement

• Maintain active engagement with current practices and emerging technologies within the entertainment industry.
• Help develop student connections to internships, apprenticeships, professional opportunities, and industry partners.
• Represent the School through appropriate professional organizations, conferences, and industry engagement.
• Contribute to conversations about the changing nature of technical production and entertainment education.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• BFA in Technical Theatre or a related field with significant professional experience in lieu of a terminal degree.
• Minimum two years of professional experience in technical direction or related production work for live entertainment.
• Demonstrated expertise in traditional theatrical craft, construction, fabrication, and contemporary entertainment technology.
• One year of collegiate teaching experience or equivalent professional training, mentorship, or instructional experience.
• Demonstrated project-management and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• MFA in Technical Theatre or a related field.
• Five or more years of professional experience in technical direction or related entertainment production.
• Two or more years of teaching experience in higher education.
• Experience with emerging technologies such as automation, virtual production, motion capture, real-time systems, interactive media, or advanced digital fabrication.
• Experience in film production, themed entertainment, immersive experiences, live events, or other forms of mediated entertainment.
• Professional connections across entertainment technology, themed entertainment, live performance, film, or related industries.
• Experience developing curriculum, including online or digitally supported modalities.
• Professional certifications in relevant software, safety practices, rigging, fabrication, or technical systems.