Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Design, Technology and Production / Technical Director

Fort Lewis; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 44,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO seeks a Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Design, Technology and Production / Technical Director for a 50/50 teaching and technical role. Responsibilities include teaching scenic design and stage management, mentoring students, and managing production safety and scheduling.

The position is non-tenure track, with a typical 9-month schedule and a comprehensive benefits package. Application by November 16, 2026 is requested.

Qualifications

• Requires terminal degree (MFA or PhD) in theatrical design or significant professional equivalence.
• Demonstrated experience in technical theatre and directing/production management.
• Experience mentoring students in scene shop and technical areas.

Responsibilities

• Teach beginning scenic design and stage management.
• Assist with recruitment and lead technical theatre recruitment.
• Mentor Technical Theatre students in design and technologies.
• Collaborate with department and production teams on season planning.
• Maintain safety procedures and assist with production budgets and scheduling.

Skills

Theatre design

Stage management

Technical directing

Mentoring students

Budget management

Collaboration

Education

MFA or PhD in Theatrical Design

Tools

Carpentry tools

Lighting design software

Rigging equipment

Job description

Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Design, Technology and Production / Technical Director# Careers## Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Design, Technology and Production / Technical DirectorApply: Fort Lewis College, Durango Colorado: Full time: Posted 7 Days Ago: End Date: November 16, 2026 (19 days left to apply): JR2380**Position Summary:**The Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Design, Technology and Production/Technical Director is a non-tenure-track position in the Theatre area of the Department of Performing Arts. The position consists of a 50% teaching appointment (12 credits per academic year) and a 50% Technical Director appointment (20 hours per week).**Job Description:****Essential Functions and Responsibilities of Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Design, Technology and Production:*** Teach beginning Scenic Design* Teach beginning Stage Management* Assist with recruitment and lead technical theatre recruitment* Mentor Technical Theatre students in scenic design and other technologies depending on area of expertise* Other academic teaching assignments may be developed based on the successful candidate’s area of expertise* Hold regular office hours* Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities* Maintain knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508* Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.* Perform other duties as assigned.* Normal full-time teaching load is 15 credit hours per term, including 12 credits of assigned courses and 3 credits of reassigned time for service. **Essential Functions and Responsibilities of Technical Director:*** Maintain and ensure safety of all students, faculty, staff and patrons in the building for all events and daily classes.* Implement safety procedures as changes are made or safety needs are identified.* Encourage students to use industry standard safety protocol.* Create training procedures on all equipment and tools. Also appropriate documentation of student competency on this equipment.* Manage student build crews* Supervise and mentor student shop leads* Collaborate with scene shop supervisor* Create and maintain production schedule for season, including all renters using the theatre spaces.* Manage budget for sets, props, sound, lights, costumes for all productions* Identify, plan and manage maintenance budget for all production equipment, upgrades and projects* Plan, oversee and participate in all production strikes* Point person with Physical Plant for any repairs, issues related to performance spaces, scene shop, light shop & booth.* Engage authentically with students, the department, and colleagues* Communicate with Chair and faculty on grading of student work at midterm and end of each semester* Manage in building and campus zircon storage of props, lights, and useable set pieces.* Advise season selection as needed (with respect to size of department, tech support, and production schedule needs)* Attend department and production meetings and all technical rehearsals* Coordinate with other departments when necessary* Maintain knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508.* Produce and remediate digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.* Perform other duties as assigned. **Required Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:*** A completed terminal degree by December 2026, MFA or PHD, in a Theatrical Design discipline, a/o significant professional experience as a theatrical designer**,** technical director a/o production manager* Demonstrated experience in Technical Theatre* Demonstrated experience managing students in the scene shop* Demonstrated ability designing and constructing scenery* Experience collaborating as a team player with colleagues and community* Ability to provide technical direction for all shows, including leading student-focused design and crew teams, and budget management* Ability to teach Stage Technology courses, as well as upper division design courses in scene design, stage lighting, and stage management, or based on the successful candidate’s area of expertise* Demonstrated ability to mentor students in technical theatre* A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities**Preferred Education, Specialized Skills and Experience:*** OSHA Certification + Knowledge of necessary technical programs to produce designs for set, lights, projections and audio + Knowledge and proficiency with carpentry tools and set buildng standards + Supervise construction and installation of technical elements (sets, props, lights, projections, sound, rigging) + A completed terminal degree, MFA or PHD, by August 15, 2022 in a Theatrical Design Discipline.* Ability and willingness to teach courses outside the area of expertise, particularly Introduction to Theatre, theatre history and non-western theatre.* Ability to teach sound design.* Experience teaching at the college level.**Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:**This position reports to the Chair of the Performing Arts Department**Work Environment:**The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.* Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).* Ability to work in a confined area.* Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.**Physical Demands:**The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function* While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate computer and telephone equipment* Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work* Light to moderate lifting is required**Travel:**Less than 5% travel is expected for this position**FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work/ and Salary Range:*** Exempt* Full Time 1.0 FTE.* Temporary* 9 Month Position.* Typical work hours are between Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and weekends during production **Compensation*** Salary is $49,000 per year, plus a comprehensive benefits package.**Application Process****A complete application packet includes:*** **Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position*** **CV*** **Names and contact information for three current, professional references****Application materials received by 11:59 PM on November 15, 2026, will receive full consideration.****The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts****and pass a background check.** **About Fort Lewis College:**On a sage-brushed mesa overlooking downtown Durango and the La Plata Mountains, Fort Lewis College is Southwest Colorado’s premier public undergraduate research institution. With more than half of the 3,300 students identifying as people of color, FLC’s academic programming and campus life thrive on nurturing safe, diverse spaces for intellectual exploration and helping people achieve their career goals. A Native American-serving, Non-Tribal Institution, FLC is committed to promoting economic development in neighboring tribal communities and connecting students with the education they need to be the change in the world they want to see. Degree programs span the arts, business, education, health sciences, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Coursework builds on the natural, cultural, and historical resources found around the Four Corners region. Students work closely with faculty on research projects with real-world implications. Like the mountain town it resides in, FLC promotes a culture of work-life balance for students, faculty, and staff. Skyhawks enjoy unparalleled access to a healthy outdoor lifestyle thanks to 300 days of sunshine a year and more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in and around Durango