Visiting Assistant Professor, Lighting Design

Job description:

The School of Music, Dance and Theatre in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University invites applicants for a one-year, full-time visiting assistant professor of Lighting Design beginning fall 2023. The ideal candidate will have experience and model current modes of educating design and production students via culturally responsive approaches and inclusive practices. This position is on the Tempe, Arizona campus.

The Assistant Teaching Professor of Lighting Design will work to prepare graduates of the School of Music, Dance and Theatre to transform their fields and society. The candidate will be expected to facilitate the vision and voice of our students and their success through active mentorship and innovative new learning experiences that prioritize access and excellence in alignment with ASU and its charter. The ideal candidate is committed to advancing equity and inclusion professionally and in the classroom with a track record of working to achieve these.

We seek a professionally engaged, forward thinking, skilled, innovative Lighting Designer to engage with students across the disciplines of theatre, opera and dance on topics of design, composition, communication and storytelling; developing a broad understanding of the educational and cultural needs of ASU’s student demographic. The ideal candidate must demonstrate a pedagogical and professional profile that is compatible with distinguished undergraduate training at a major research university, and a willingness to teach in person, online and hybrid courses. Responsibilities include teaching two to three courses per semester; mentoring and supervising design and production students through all phases of the production process, as well as internships and individualized projects; and when necessary serving as lighting designer for school productions. The successful candidate will maintain a pedagogical and professional profile that is compatible with distinguished undergraduate training at a major research university, and will work collaboratively with colleagues across the School of Music, Dance and Theatre and the greater ASU community to impact the breadth and depth of new course offerings for major and non-major students in both in-person and online learning environments.

About the School of Music, Dance and Theatre

The School of Music, Dance and Theatre is widely recognized for preparing artists, scholars, visionaries and entrepreneurs to become creative leaders who transform society through their creative work. Our internationally recognized faculty artists, scholars and guest artists are motivating and compassionate mentors who work with students to cultivate excellence and personal growth. Our nationally recognized programs feature a comprehensive range of degrees plus minors and certificates and more than 600 concerts, events, performances, productions and recitals each year. Located in the culturally rich Southwest in one of the most vibrant, expanding urban centers, our programs afford students access to a diverse environment and engagement in Phoenix’s flourishing arts community. Above all, we value the creativity, personal experience and voice each student brings to the school. For more information on the School of Music, Dance and Theatre, visit musicdancetheatre.asu.edu. 

Required qualifications:

• MFA in Lighting Design or related field, or commensurate professional experience.
• Demonstrated ability to advance equity and inclusion in the field and address the educational and cultural needs of all ASU students.
• Minimum of three years of sustained professional experience in scenic design or related field, utilizing current production practices and technologies at a regional and/or national level
• Demonstrated experience with computer-controlled lighting systems (ETC-EOS Family of console, LED technology, moving head fixtures, scrollers, hazers, etc.), and Vectorworks for producing lighting drawings.
• Experience in lighting design, emerging lighting and/or entertainment technologies, utilizing current production practices and technologies.
• Demonstrated teaching excellence and innovation at the university level and/or record of professional mentorship in the field of lighting design.

Desired qualifications:

• University level teaching experience.
• Record of collaborative, professional and relevant industry experience working across a variety of mediums (e.g., theatre, dance, opera, corporate, themed entertainment etc.) and in a variety of venues (e.g., proscenium work, non-proscenium based work, devised work, socially engaged performances).
• Record of collegial approach to working across disciplines and solving complex production problems as part of a team.
• Experience in installation design, production design and/or art direction.
• Ability to teach introductory and advanced design topics in lighting design and emerging technologies.
• Demonstrated understanding of higher education production processes.
• Ability to design and implement curriculum and programs in theatre, dance, and music, for both online and in-person courses.
• Interest in expansive approaches to design and production processes and practices and their impact outside traditional arts media (e.g., architecture, engineering, research sciences, etc.).
• Membership in United Scenic Artists.

We acknowledge the 22 tribes who are native to Arizona, and more specifically the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Piipaash or Pee Posh (Maricopa) tribes on whose ancestral homelands ASU’s Tempe campus resides.

Application deadline:

The application deadline is June 15, 2023. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool.  Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions, which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses and certifications.

Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. (See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.)

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources.  ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf  You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

COVID-19 Vaccination - Arizona State University is a federal contractor and subject to federal regulations which may require you to produce a record of a COVID-19 vaccination. For questions about medical or religious accommodations, please visit the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s webpage.

Instruction to apply:

Please submit the following materials:

• Letter of interest addressing how the candidate uniquely meets the qualifications for the position, in particular: work experience, creative activity (i.e. performance) and/or research, collaboration and innovative teaching.
• Curriculum vitae.
• A digital portfolio of no more than 10 produced designs or a Website (Link submitted in PDF format) representing diverse work. For detailed instructions on how to create a document with live hyperlinks, please click here.
• Names and contact information for three references.

• A one-page statement addressing the candidate’s commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging.

All applications must be submitted electronically via http://apply.interfolio.com/122497.