Assistant Professor of Communication and Theatre (Tenure-track)
DePauw University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:
Women, members of underrepresented groups, and persons with
disabilities are encouraged to apply. Position will remain open
until filled.
The Department of Communication and Theatre at DePauw University
invites applications to join a community of designers in a tenure
track position at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning August
2025. An MFA or PhD (completed by August 2026) in Theatre Design or
related field is required; ABD or MFA-in-progress candidates will
be considered at the rank of Instructor. A commitment to teaching
undergraduates in a liberal-arts setting and evidence of effective
and inclusive teaching are essential. The department specifically
seeks candidates to teach major core curriculum courses in design,
technical theatre, and theatre production. The teaching assignment
is six courses per year, and designing for mainstage productions
will take the place of one course in the teaching load. Funding is
available for professional development and research with
undergraduate students.
We seek a tenure track colleague with the following experience and
abilities:
- Knowledge of current developments/trends in any combination of:
Scene Design, and at least one of the following: Lighting Design,
Projection Design, Costume Design, Sound Design, Properties Design,
Scene Painting - Knowledge of computer-aided design and construction required;
strong preference given for skills in 3-D printing and
virtual/extended reality - Ability to teach courses in Theatre Design and Production,
including COMM 101 (Theatre Practicum), COMM 117 (Costume,
Lighting, and Scenery Craft), COMM 118 (Costume, Lighting, and
Scenery Design), COMM 217 (Entertainment Design), and COMM 317
(Advanced Entertainment Design) - Ability to teach “service” courses for the Department of
Communication and Theatre, including COMM 110: Introduction to
Theatre and COMM 450: Senior Seminar, and for the university, such
as First-Year Seminar. - Ability to teach additional courses in Theatre, including COMM
318 (Business of the Performing Arts); specialized courses in
Theatre Design and Theatre Production as potential Topics courses,
as well as courses in Production Management, Stage Management, and
Arts Management; and and courses in collaboration with other units
in DePauw’s Creative School, School of Liberal Arts, and/or School
of Business and Leadership - Ability to collaborate with faculty and staff from other campus
units to develop interdisciplinary courses relevant to Art and Art
History, Music, Dance, and Business, among others.
Each production design will require significant research and
technical preparation in collaboration with the Director of
Production, Assistant Director of Production, Costume Shop Manager,
a Technical Director, an A/V Technician, and student designers.
This will include the production of renderings, detailed
construction drawings, and/or scale models. The faculty member will
also be deeply involved in the process of executing designs and in
mentoring students. The time required for design responsibilities
across an academic year will be roughly equivalent to the time
needed to direct one full production, which results in one course
reassignment from teaching to design work per year.
DePauw University is a leading, nationally-recognized liberal arts
and sciences university dedicated to educating approximately 1,850
highly talented, motivated, and diverse students from across the
country and around the globe. The University includes a College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences, a School of Business and Leadership, and
a Creative School, which enriches the community by providing a rich
set of music performances and other artistic offerings. For 185
years, DePauw has created an atmosphere of intellectual challenge
that prepares students for lifelong success and fulfills its
mission to develop leaders the world needs through an uncommon
commitment to the liberal arts. Located in Greencastle, Indiana,
about a 45-minute drive west of Indianapolis, DePauw is a member of
the Great Lakes Colleges Association. DePauw has an ongoing commitment to
diversity and seeks to strengthen our institution through equitable
and inclusive practices. Please see this profile for more information about
DePauw University.
Candidates should submit through Workday:
- a cover letter summarizing qualifications;
- CV;
- a statement of teaching philosophy;
- a statement of creative/scholarly interests;
- evidence of effective teaching (such as sample syllabi or
course evaluations); - a copy of graduate transcripts;
- a design portfolio or link(s) to it;
Contact information for professional references may be requested at
a later date.
Application materials should provide evidence of a commitment to
successfully fostering and engaging with a diversity of ideas and
experiences to create an inclusive environment in the classroom and
at the University. Review of applications will begin October 17,
2025 and continue until the position is filled. Please contact
Jennifer Adams, Communication and Theatre Department Chair, at
jadams@depauw.edu with any questions.
We are proud to recognize the active participation of faculty and
staff in adding to the heritage of building and supporting vibrant,
intellectual and creative lives for students and for ourselves.
Principles of collaboration, respect for each other, diversity,
freedom of expression, accountability and service guide the daily
decisions and interactions across campus.
DePauw University, in affirmation of its commitment to excellence,
endeavors to provide equal opportunity for all individuals in its
hiring, promotion, compensation and admission procedures.
Institutional decisions regarding hiring, promotion, compensation
and admission will be based upon a person’s qualifications and/or
performance without regard to race, color, creed, religion,
national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, gender,
gender identity or gender expression, except where religion,
gender, or national origin is a bona fide occupational
qualification.
DePauw University’s goals and commitments are best served if the
institution reflects the diversity of our society; hence, DePauw
seeks diversity in all areas and levels of employment and abides by
all local, state, and federal regulations concerning equal
employment opportunities. The University admits, hires and promotes
individuals upon their qualities and merits.
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