Assistant Professor of Scenic Design

Ball State University; Indiana, Muncie (PA, IN); On-site; USD 53,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Assistant Professor of Scenic Design to join their vibrant Theatre and Dance Department. This tenure-track position offers the opportunity to engage in collaborative discourse and innovative teaching practices, focusing on scenic design within a dynamic BFA program. The successful candidate will contribute to a rich educational environment, mentoring students while also pursuing impactful creative work. With a commitment to inclusive excellence and community engagement, this role is perfect for those eager to shape the next generation of theatre artists and enhance their professional profile through meaningful contributions.

Benefits

Affordable Healthcare

Retirement

Tuition Remission

Paid Parental Leave

Professional Development

Qualifications

• Master's degree in theatre or equivalent professional experience required.
• Experience as a scenic designer in professional venues is essential.
• Commitment to mentorship and inclusive pedagogies in teaching.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses in scenic design, stagecraft, and related design courses.
• Mentor student scenic designers in productions.
• Create and execute scenic designs for department productions.

Skills

Scenic Design

Computer-Aided Drafting

Rendering

Mentorship

Teaching

Education

Master's degree in Theatre or related discipline

M.F.A. Scenic Design

Tools

Photoshop

Job description

Posting Details

Position Information

Forbes has ranked Ball State University as the fourth-best midsized employer-and the only recognized education institution-in the State of Indiana.
Learn More

The Ball State University Department of Theatre and Dance invites applications for a tenure-line Scenic Design position beginning August of 2025.

Ball State Faculty Opportunities

IN Indiana

N/A

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Ball State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, genetic information, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, protected veteran status, or any legally protected status.

Position Title	Assistant Professor of Scenic Design
About this Opportunity
About Ball State University	Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State University's ambitious goals for our second century: * We pledge to provide a premier educational experience for every student. * We pledge to partner with the community to improve the lives of our neighbors. * We are dedicated to having a lifelong presence in the lives of our alumni. And when we complement these promises with our commitment to our enduring values, we define that which makes our University and its culture distinctive. Our faculty are collegial, collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and adaptive, both within and beyond one's home unit. These attributes include commitments to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and enterprising learning practices. Our faculty are expected to be innovative, adaptive, engaging teachers across modalities; producers of impactful creative and/or scholarly work; leaders in meaningful service activities to multiple communities. We seek faculty members who are strategic thinkers, engaging our dynamic communities. We are committed to student and faculty success, impact, and access, within an environment that prioritizes inclusive excellence. We inspire each other to be critical thinkers and responsible citizens, so that we can pursue fulfilling careers and meaningful lives. Ball State University lives the values of Beneficence. We invite you to be part of our community. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 20,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 270+ undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of our master's, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees rank among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.
Benefits and Community	Ball State University offers an excellent benefits package for eligible positions. Click here to explore options. Affordable Healthcare Retirement Tuition Remission (For eligible employees, their dependents, and spouse) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Curious about benefits calculations? Please visit the following link to explore: https://www.bsu.edu/about/administrativeoffices/humanresources/jobs
To learn about other faculty opportunities at Ball State University, please visit the following link:
Live Near Your Work - If you are considering living near the Ball State area, please visit the following link to learn more about relocation and living in east central Indiana:	https://www.bsu.edu/about/live-near-your-work
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Appointment Type	Tenure-track
Length of Appointment	FT Academic Year
Description	The Ball State University Department of Theatre and Dance invites applications for a tenure-line Scenic Design position beginning August of 2025. The Department seeks an individual with a commitment to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and entrepreneurial learning practices to work in our STEM accredited design and technology program. The successful candidate will be an accomplished artist, mentor, teacher, and pedagogue in the area of scenic design within a flourishing BFA/BA/BS program in design and technology. Ball State's design and technology option offers an innovative and "hands on" training curriculum consisting of rigorous and varied coursework, a strong foundation in immersive and experiential learning, and an emphasis on the synthesis between classroom curriculum and practical production opportunities. Specializations should include scenic design, computer-aided drafting, rendering, and conceptual based courses. Preferred consideration will be given to any candidate who possesses expertise in an additional area of design; particularly in the area of projections. Applicants should also be committed to mentorship of students and inclusive pedagogies in their teaching, scholarship, and artistry. Our dynamic faculty function as collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and adaptive members of the College of Fine Arts community, both within and beyond the home unit, serving as quality teachers, productive in creative and/or scholarly work, engaged in public service activities, and contributing to the Ball State and Muncie communities and beyond. Additionally, lifelong learning at Ball State University extends educational engagement beyond the classroom and includes learning for professional development, personal enrichment, or other goals throughout one's lifetime. Faculty will be expected to participate in the department's, college's, and university's lifelong learning opportunities when available and may be assigned teaching responsibility in this area as part of their overall responsibilities. Duties and responsibilities include: A teaching load that may include all levels of course work in scenic design, stagecraft, computer-aided drafting, rendering, photoshop, concept and style, stagecraft, collaboration, introduction to storytelling, introduction to theatre, and other related design courses at the undergraduate level; Supervision and mentoring of student scenic designers in assigned productions; A dedication and commitment to helping foster and cultivate overall student success; Creation and execution of scenic designs for selected department productions; Serving the Department as an accomplished and versatile technician so effective communication with Departmental colleagues can seamlessly take place; Creating an active and tenure-worthy professional profile in the area of scenic design. This includes a balance of work in professional venues, scholarly activity, presentations at reputable theatre and dance conferences, and other related professional activities that benefit the candidate, University, Department, and students being served. Fulfilling service obligations, including assigned committee work at the Department, College, and University level, on a national, regional, and local level. Working in collaboration with theatre and dance faculty, staff, and students in facilitating the theatre and dance production program at Ball State University. Salary and benefit packages for this position are competitive, with salaries for this opportunity beginning at $53,000 annually.
Minimum Qualifications	Master's degree in theatre or related discipline completed by date of employment or equivalent professional experience. At least one year of experience as a scenic designer in professional venues. Computer competency in computer-aided drafting applications.
Authorization to work in the US	Employer will consider sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications	M.F.A. Scenic Design. 24 months (three academic years) of teaching experience at the university/college level. Connections and recognitions within the areas of theatrical scenic design. Expertise in the area of projections or an additional area of design. .
Required Certifications/Licensures
Pre-Employment Screening	Requires successful completion of a background check and education verification.
Position Title(s) Supervised
EEO Statement
Department	Theatre & Dance:600050
College/Department Information
Department Email or Phone Number	765-285-8740

Posting Detail Information

In support of your application for this position, please prepare and submit a cover letter that describes how your qualifications and experience align with the elements of the position description (or leadership profile). In your cover letter, please select one of our enduring valuesand describe how you have demonstrated a commitment to that value in your professional endeavors.

Bill Jenkins - [e-mail]
Jeff Stover - [e-mail]

Posting Number	202401380F
Number of Vacancies	1
Desired Start Date	08/11/2025
Position End Date
Posting Date	10/25/2024
Applications Accepted Through Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Consideration Date: to ensure full consideration, applications must be received by the date indicated here. (Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.)	12/01/2024
Information regarding transcripts	The option to upload transcripts is available. Original, official transcripts showing the highest related degree earned is required at the time of hire (even if obtained at BSU). Degree verification will be conducted.
Special Instructions Summary
Information for Applications Requiring a Cover Letter
Search Committee Chair Name and Contact Information