"Assistant Professor of Theatre Design"

Job Details

Position Details: Randolph-Macon College invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position of Assistant Professor of Theatre Design in the Department of the Arts to begin September 1, 2026.

Institution Information: Randolph-Macon College is a nationally recognized residential institution of about 1800 students located in Ashland, Virginia, just north of Richmond. Founded in 1830, the college offers a broad range of academic programs, including a graduate program in PA studies. The RMC curriculum, grounded in a liberal arts core, and our culture of personal attention, fosters intellectual growth and personal development with a steadfast focus on helping students find and navigate pathways through college and to successful outcomes. With a commitment to inclusivity and hands-on learning, Randolph-Macon College provides an extraordinary educational experience – enhanced by exceptional athletic and extracurricular activities and supportive alumni – and prepares graduates for success in their chosen fields and in their lives.

The growing Theatre Program at Randolph-Macon College—recently relocated to newly constructed, state-of-the-art facilities—emphasizes a balance between history, literature, theory, and creating for the stage. Prospective faculty will have the opportunity to realize a visionary restructuring of the program. Students participate directly in collaborative theatre-making practices, with numerous opportunities for hands-on experiential learning in an environment that nurtures creativity. Students also understand how their learning and skills can apply to a wide variety of professions and industries.

Major/Essential Functions: Randolph-Macon College faculty teach, advise, conduct research and engage in scholarship, and serve the college and department. Primary teaching responsibilities will include teaching courses in the Theatre Program’s curriculum to majors and non-majors, designing theatre productions, and contributing to general education. Theatre faculty are expected to engage actively in recruiting prospective students to the program and the College.

Minimum Qualifications:

• MFA in Theatre Design, Theatre Technology, or other technical or design related concentration to be completed at time of appointment, September 1, 2026;
• Teaching experience in theatre at the collegiate, secondary, and/or professional levels;
• Design experience in theatre at the collegiate, secondary, and/or professional levels;
• Experience working with students and a demonstrated commitment to pedagogical methods that support all learners in reaching their maximum potential;

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience building, developing, and maintaining a college theatre program;
• Experience and training in one or more of the following: scenic design, lighting design and related areas of expertise;
• Experience with lighting, scenic, and sound software, including but not limited to CAD and Vectorworks;
• Experience with lighting programming and technologies, including but not limited to moving lights, projection, and digital visualization;
• Experience mentoring student designers at all levels and supervising student crews in collaboration with the faculty in Acting/Directing and the Theatre Tech staff;
• Evidence of a commitment to student engagement and recruitment;
• Evidence of research or professional activity in the candidate’s specialty (i.e., a record of publication, presentation, and/or performance;
• Engagement in professional organizations;
• Experience with Theatre Program curriculum development and programmatic assessment.

Application Procedures: Please complete an online application at https://bit.ly/4p2ii39 to include uploading the following as a single pdf addressed to Sabrina Granderson, Administrative Services Coordinator, no later than January 5, 2026.

The documents that must be uploaded include the following:

• Letter of application that addresses the position qualifications;
• Curriculum vitae;
• A brief (one page) statement of your teaching philosophy;
• A brief (one page) statement of your research interests;
• A brief (one page) statement describing inclusive teaching practices you employ and how you actively support students across a broad range of experiences, interests, and perspectives;
• Link to digital portfolio;
• Transcripts (scanned copies acceptable);
• The names and contact information for three professional references (at least one must be able to address teaching experience and teaching effectiveness; please indicate the teaching reference in your letter of application). Please do not ask for references to submit letters of recommendation; the committee will conduct reference checks by phone.

For full consideration, applications must be received by January 5, 2026. While applications may be accepted after this date, it is not guaranteed that they will be considered.

The search committee will not consider incomplete applications.

Randolph-Macon College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, disability, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.

At this time, we are unable to offer new visa sponsorship for this position.