Technical Direction/Scenic Design- Assnt Educator/Teaching Professor- Performing Arts

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Wichita State University’s School of Performing Arts invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track position in Technical Direction/Scenic Design to begin August 2027. The role centers on robust production leadership, scenic design execution, and undergraduate mentorship within a collaborative arts environment.

The successful candidate will oversee production operations across three venues, teach courses in scenic design and related areas, and actively engage with students to prepare

Qualifications

• Graduate level degree or equivalent experience in the field.
• Teaching experience.
• Evidence of achievement in scenic design.
• Evidence of achievement in technical direction.
• Commitment to fostering collaborative classroom and production environments.
• Ability to mentor students in production environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach undergraduate courses in scenic design and related areas.
• Oversee technical direction for productions and three venues.
• Mentor students in production environments and internships.
• Collaborate with faculty, guest artists, directors, and students to ensure safety and effective production practices.
• Contribute to governance and strategic initiatives within the department.

Skills

Mentorship in production environments

Teaching theatre courses

Education

MFA in Theatre/Design and Technical Theatre with focus on scenic design or technical direction

BA/BFA in Theatre/Design and Technical Theatre with commensurate professional experience in scenic design and technical direction

Tools

Vectorworks

Job description

WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for thisposition.

Department: School of Performing Arts

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Work Schedule: Varies dependent upon class, rehearsal, andproduction schedule; work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement: No export controlrequirement.

Job Story

About the School of Performing Arts (SPA) The School of Performing Arts is a comprehensive school offeringBFA and BA degrees in Performing Arts with concentrations inActing, Dance, Design and Technical Theatre, Musical Theatre, andTheatre. Grounded in a shared core curriculum, the schoolemphasizes collaboration across disciplines and extensive appliedlearning opportunities. A hallmark of the School of Performing Artsis its commitment to undergraduate leadership through productioncurriculum, with students actively designing, performing, managing,and producing work across a diverse range of artisticprojects.

To enhance and broaden students’ knowledge and career preparation,the School of Performing Arts offers several certificates,including Directing, Stage Management, Voice Acting, Choreography,and Commercial Dance. Students may also pursue interdisciplinaryminors such as Dance, Dance Education, Dance and Psychology, Dramaand Psychology, Theatre, Musical Theatre, Performing Arts andBusiness, and Performing Arts Marketing. Many of these programs andcourses are developed in collaboration with the School of DigitalArts, the School of Music, the Honors College, and the FairmountCollege of Liberal Arts and Sciences, reinforcing aninterdisciplinary approach and expanding opportunities for studentsto engage across fields and build versatile, career-ready skillsets. Learn more at www.wichita.edu/spa

The School of Performing Arts in the College of Fine Arts invites applications for a full-time (9 month), non-tenure-trackposition in Technical Direction//Scenic Design to begin August 2027with the university.

The School of Performing Arts in the College of Fine Arts invites applications for a full-time (9 month), non-tenure-trackposition in Technical Direction//Scenic Design to begin August 2027with the university.

We seek a dynamic educator, mentor, and production leader who willplay a central role in shaping the academic future of the schooland the Design and Technical Theatre degree within a highlycollaborative interdisciplinary performing arts environment. We areparticularly interested in candidates with expertise and extensiveexperience in technical direction, scenic design, and studentmentorship who are committed to undergraduate education and appliedlearning.

Because production is central to the School of Performing Arts'mission, this position serves in a key production leadership role.The successful candidate will provide significant service throughtechnical direction for school productions, oversee technicaloperations across three theatrical venues and facilities, andensure safe and effective production practices. Working closelywith faculty, guest artists, directors, choreographers, andstudents, the successful candidate will help create a vibrantproduction culture that prioritizes both artistic excellence andstudent learning.

The Wichita State Advantage

Located in Wichita, Kansas, the School of Performing Arts offersfaculty the opportunity to work within a close-knit and highlycollaborative artistic community where professionals and alumniactively lead area theatres, dance studios, and arts organizations. These relationships create meaningful partnerships that supportstudent internships, applied learning, and community-engaged work,while also providing faculty with strong professional networksbeyond the university. Wichita offers an affordable quality of life paired with acommunity of scholars, creators, and professionals. Employees canbuild meaningful connections with colleagues while enjoying a costof living that supports personal and professional well-being.Together, these qualities create an environment where people canthrive and feel connected.

The city features a growing and vibrant arts ecosystem, includingregional theatres, dance companies, music venues, film and mediainitiatives, and a nationally recognized downtown arts district.Faculty benefit from access to local cultural institutions,galleries, public art, and festivals, as well as a central locationthat offers convenient travel options. This combination ofaffordability, accessibility, and an engaged creative communitymake Wichita an appealing place to live, work, and build ameaningful career in the performing arts. Learn more:www.choosewichita.com

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels usingvarious instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face),hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into thecourse design and engage with industry and local business communityapplied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities(e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship,recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities,etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for teaching and service, as set forth by thedepartment and college.

Job Duties

Develop and teach undergraduate courses in scenic design, drafting,technical direction, theatre technology, and related areas. Thisincludes designing curriculum and instructional materials,delivering high-quality instruction in various modalities(in-person, online, or hybrid), and assessing student learning. Theposition offers the opportunity to develop a strong technicaldirection mentorship and applied learning model that preparesstudents for leadership roles through progressive experiences inproduction management, scenic construction, safety, collaboration,scheduling, and project execution.

Participate in service activities within the department, college,and university as assigned. Duties may include committee work,curriculum development, program assessment, student recruitment,and community outreach. The faculty member will contribute to thegovernance and strategic initiatives of the department and engageprimarily through service as the technical director for productionsalong with oversight for three venues (one proscenium stage, onestudio theatre, one black box theatre).

Required Education and Experience:

• Graduate level degree or Equivalent Experience in theField
• Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

• Evidence of achievement in scenic design.
• Evidence of achievement in technical direction.
• Evidence of a commitment to fostering collaborative classroomand production environments.
• Evidence of accommodating a variety of learning styles andstrategies in instructional delivery and learning activity.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor students in productionenvironments.
• Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate courses in scenicdesign and drafting .
• Demonstrated ability to use and teach industry standardsoftware such as Vectorworks.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiar with production in a variety of settings such as aproscenium theatre, black box theatre, site specific locations andfilm.
• Ability to provide instruction curriculum to a variety oflearners.
• Commitment to collaborative processes and environments.
• Ability to teach theatre courses beyond scenic design,drafting, or technical direction.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MFA in Theatre/Design and Technical Theatre with a focus onscenic design or technical direction
• OR BA/BFA in Theatre/Design and Technical Theatre withcommensurate professional experience in scenic design and technicaldirection.
• Professional experience in scenic design.
• Professional experience as a technical director.
• Three years’ teaching experience at full-time or equivalentcourse load in higher education.

Additional Information:

WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for thisposition.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

1. Cover Letter/Letter of application addressing how thecandidate’s qualifications and experience align with theposition.

2. Teaching Statement: A statement (1-2 pages) describing teachingapproach/philosophy and experience (including course topics thecandidate can teach, mentoring experience, and any evidence ofteaching effectiveness).

3. Digital Portfolio: File or link to file(s) or website ofprofessional digital work

4. Optional Materials: Any additional materials the candidate wouldlike to share such as sample publications, teaching evaluations,reviews, etc.

Priority deadline for applications is 10/23/26. The appointmentfor the position is August 2027.

For more information contact: Professor Amy Baker Schwiethale, Chair Email: [e-mail]

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position – Frequent 60-90%;Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment includingbut not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators –Frequent 60-90%