Career Instructor in Scenic Design - University of Oregon

The Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Oregon seeks a Career Instructor in Scenic Design. The successful candidate will teach 5 courses in Theatre Arts’ core curriculum, including but not limited to: Introduction to Design, Scenic Design, Scenic Painting, Property Design and Construction, Digital Graphics, and potential other areas of specific interest to students.

Department: CAS Theatre Arts
Rank: Instructor
Annual Basis: 9 Month

Review of Applications Begins

December 1, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

1) Cover letter (no more than 1 page)
2) Curriculum vitae
3) A statement of teaching describing how you will contribute to teaching excellence and innovation at UO (no more than 3 pages). Please provide details of your content area knowledge, ability to work effectively with a team, experience with teaching, knowledge of the scholarship of teaching and learning, and your plans for inclusive and research-informed teaching and mentoring.
4) In line with the department and university commitment to DEI, applicants will include a statement focusing on their knowledge, experience, and plans related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates should describe their experience with successful mentoring, teaching, or outreach aimed at reducing barriers for underrepresented groups, and specific plans for how they could contribute to our department’s goal to create a diverse and inclusive community through current campus programs or new activities, or through national or off-campus organizations. Please include examples of you supporting or leading activities promoting interest and retention in the sciences by individuals from underrepresented groups and/or your future plans to do so. 
5) Names and contact information for three professional references, two of which need to be teaching references, to be contacted for letters of recommendation.

Department Summary

The Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Oregon serves a variety of students with a wide range of needs and interests. The faculty of this department are committed to a liberal arts approach to theatre education, and to maintaining the highest standards both in academic pursuits and in performance. We deeply believe in the value of theatre as a form of cultural formation and communication as well as a pathway for personal growth.

Position Summary

The Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Oregon seeks a Career Instructor in Scenic Design. The successful candidate will teach 5 courses in Theatre Arts’ core curriculum, including but not limited to: Introduction to Design, Scenic Design, Scenic Painting, Property Design and Construction, Digital Graphics, and potential other areas of specific interest to students.
 
The successful candidate will design scenery and properties for University Theatre Productions, which includes the creation of scenic and properties design for two to three shows for the department's five-show main stage season. Design deliverables include scale drawings, renderings, white models, color models, scenic painting, and properties. The successful candidate will oversee the execution and implementation of scenic painting and properties, as well as maintaining paint areas and prop storage facilities. This colleague will also supervise student scenic and properties designers, and scenic artists, and provide mentorship to student designers for production assignments in University Theatre.
 
The successful candidate will advise undergraduate students and graduate students, including overseeing MFA students in design projects, serving on MFA final project review committees, and mentoring students entering design work in regional and national design competitions. The candidate will serve on departmental committees for season selection, graduate admissions, policy review, and other departmental business, as well as attend regular faculty meetings and additional tasks as assigned by the Department Head.
 
This is a full-time, 9-month annual instructional position with potential opportunities during the summer. This position will require evening and weekend hours for rehearsals, work calls, and performances.

Minimum Requirements

Available rank will be based on department needs.
 
To qualify for the rank of Career Instructor:
• Master’s of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Theatre with a concentration in scenic design
• One year of academic teaching experience in higher education or equivalent (such as designing and implementing training, short courses, or workshops)
 
To qualify for the rank of Senior Instructor 1:
• Master’s of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Theatre with a concentration in scenic design
• Six years of academic teaching experience in a higher education or equivalent
• One year of sustained professional design work

To qualify for the rank of Senior Instructor 2:
• Master’s of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Theatre with a concentration in scenic design
• Twelve years of academic teaching experience in a higher education or equivalent
• Three years of sustained professional design work

Professional Competencies

• Competency in computer-aided drafting and design software, scenic painting, property design Demonstrated and construction.
• Ability to deliver visionary design and subject area teaching that is informed by an active creative practice and by broad engagement with current discourses on topics in design processes, design practices, and/or community engagement.
• Demonstrated excellence and/or visionary innovation in scenic design practice in theatre or at the intersection of theatre and another related discipline.
• Ability to support a diverse student body to develop the values, knowledge, skills, and practices they need to create theatre productions that resonate with people and their cultural, physical, and creative worlds.
• Demonstrated excellence and/or innovation in creative practice such as awards, public recognition, or celebrated partnership with a professional theater production.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional design experience.
• Membership in United Scenic Artist 829, production design/art direction experience, and activity with professional organizations (USITT, etc.).

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All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.

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