Instructor, Technical Direction

University of South Carolina; Union (NJ); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution is seeking a dedicated Instructor in Technical Direction to join its vibrant Department of Theatre and Dance. This full-time role involves teaching and managing technical direction for theatre productions, providing a dynamic opportunity to shape the next generation of theatre professionals. With a workload of four courses per semester, the successful candidate will foster a collaborative environment while overseeing production planning and execution. This position not only offers a competitive salary but also the chance to work within a community committed to high-quality productions and student development. Join a team that values creativity and teamwork in a supportive academic setting.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Leave

Retirement Programs

Qualifications

• Candidates must have an M.A. or M.F.A. in Theatre or comparable experience.
• Proven managerial skills and ability to promote collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all scenic activities for departmental productions.
• Assign, coordinate, and oversee production planning and budgeting.

Skills

Technical Direction

Managerial Skills

Collaboration

Production Planning

Education

M.A. or M.F.A. in Theatre

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Review of applications begins March 15, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit the following materials:

• a cover letter that describes their research and teaching interests.
• a curriculum vitae; and
• the names and contact information for 3 references. Letters of Reference will be solicited after initial review.

Inquiries about the search and/or the position may be directed to the chair of the search committee, Associate Professor, Kristy Hall,at [e-mail] .

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

Posting Summary

Logo

Posting Number

Posting Number FAC00035PO25

Advertised Title

Advertised Title Instructor, Technical Direction

Campus

Campus Columbia

College/Division

College/Division College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department CAS Theatre and Dance

Advertised Salary Range

Advertised Salary Range We offer a competitive salary and benefits package

Location of Vacancy

Part/Full Time

Part/Full Time Full Time

Hours per Week 40

Position Category

Position Category Full-time Equivalent (FTE)

Basis

Basis 9 months

Work County

Tenure Information Professional Track

Job Search Category

Job Search Category Faculty

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Posting Summary Logo Posting Number FAC00035PO25 Advertised Title Instructor, Technical Direction Campus Columbia College/Division College of Arts and Sciences Department CAS Theatre and Dance Advertised Salary Range We offer a competitive salary and benefits package Location of Vacancy Part/Full Time Full Time Hours per Week 40 Position Category Full-time Equivalent (FTE) Basis 9 months Work County Richland Tenure Information Professional Track Job Search Category Faculty About USC About University of South Carolina From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond. Benefits for FTE Positions The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers state employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Position Description Advertised Job Summary The faculty of the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of South Carolina, Columbia campus, invites applications for a full time, professional-track position at the rank of instructor to begin August 16, 2025. The position is a 9-month appointment with a workload equivalent to teaching four courses per semester divided among traditional teaching and technical direction for theatre productions. This is an annual appointment that may be renewed contingent upon Dean’s approval, satisfactory performance, departmental needs, and the availability of funding.

The university provides opportunities for promotion to higher non-tenure ranks for eligible instructors.

The primary duty of the Technical Director is the coordination of all scenic activities (scenery construction, painting, and props) for departmental mainstage productions. Applicants must have proven managerial skills and the ability to promote a collaborative, team-based environment to fulfill artistic, scheduling, and resource needs.

Job responsibilities will include, as workload allows, serving as Technical Director for Mainstage theatrical productions each year by helping faculty and staff achieve production and educational goals of the department. The technical director assigns, coordinates, and oversees production planning, personnel, operations, budgeting and scheduling. Duties include but are not limited to: maintaining equipment, inventory, and upkeep of shop and theatre spaces; preparation of construction drawings; purchasing materials and supplies for productions; managing projects to ensure to fulfillment of production vision, schedules, and deadlines; establishing and maintaining production budgets and expenditures; teaching courses in elements of design for theatre or related topics such as stagecraft, advanced production design for theatre, or special topics in theatre; and serving as supervisor of part-time staff and/or students who are employed and/or completing experiential, theatre laboratory placements in theatre production studios while ensuring proper training and adherence to safety procedures/standards.

The Department of Theatre and Dance is a dynamic, collaborative community that includes two of the University’s most vibrant and visible programs. Students pursue a strong liberal arts undergraduate education or highly specialized graduate degrees in Acting, Theatre Design and Technology, Theatre Education, and Directing. Students gain practical experience and develop artistic skills through annual public performance seasons, educational conservatories, workshops, film projects, and community-engaged performances.

The Theatre program is committed to high quality productions as an essential component of preparing students for work in the profession. Our students perform in a range of unique venues, from an historic, arena-style theatre to our intimate black box, all located across the University’s downtown Columbia campus. Our venues include Longstreet Theatre (248 seat arena stage), Drayton Hall (404 seat proscenium theatre), Booker T. Washington Lab Theatre (90 seat flexible black box), and 707 Catawba Studio Theatre (60 seat flexible space).

The Department of Theatre and Dance is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre ( NAST ), National Association of Schools of Dance ( NASD ), and is a member of the University/ Resident Theatre Association (U/ RTA ). The department offers the M.F.A. (directing, acting, and design emphasis in scenery, costume, or lighting), M.A., M.A.T., and B.A. degree programs in theatre. For more information about our department, please visit our website at:

https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/artsandsciences/theatre_and_dance/ . Required Education and Experience Candidates must have an M.A. or M.F.A. in Theatre or comparable professional experience in technical direction for theatre. Preferred Qualifications In addition to the required education, applicants must have proven managerial skills and the ability to promote a collaborative, team-based environment to fulfill artistic, scheduling, and resource needs. Posting Detail Information Desired Start Date 08/16/2025 Job Open Date 02/27/2025 Job Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicant Review of applications begins March 15, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants should submit the following materials:

• a cover letter that describes their research and teaching interests.
• a curriculum vitae; and
• the names and contact information for 3 references. Letters of Reference will be solicited after initial review.

Inquiries about the search and/or the position may be directed to the chair of the search committee, Associate Professor, Kristy Hall,at [e-mail] .

All applicants mustapply online at USCJobs at https://uscjobs.sc.edu .
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

Quicklink for Posting https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/183727 EEO Statement The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV /AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents

Cover Letter

Curriculum Vitae

List of References and Contact Information

Optional Documents

Letter of Recommendation 1

Letter of Recommendation 2

Letter of Recommendation 3

Other Supporting Documents