Assistant Teaching Professor of Technical Direction

Job Description

The UMKC Conservatory invites applications for the position of a 9-month, full time, ranked, non-tenure track, Assistant Teaching Professor of Technical Direction beginning Fall 2026. This faculty member will serve on the Conservatory Production Team to oversee the scenic elements of all production in the Conservatory's season, in collaboration with the Scenic Shop Supervisor. They will also teach up to 2 courses each semester. Production work includes collaboration with various local professional partners in theatres across the city and region.

Primary Responsibilities

• Engineer, draft, and cost all major productions of the Conservatory season (Theatre, Opera, and Dance), which may require minimal summer work to prepare the first show of the fall season.
• Assist in the building, painting, loading, striking, etc. of Conservatory productions.
• Teach up to 2 courses each semester, including Introduction to Technical Direction, Introduction to Lighting and Sound Technology, Introduction to Technical Drafting (VectorWorks), and other special topics offerings.
• Teaching to include graduate-level courses in Technical Direction as needed.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in various technical production roles.
• Engage in a variety of service activities including committees, outreach, and community partnerships.
• Engage in recruitment activities.
• Collaborate with faculty across the Conservatory providing interdisciplinary experiences that train students in an integrated artist-scholar framework.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in Technical Direction, Scenic Design, or related field; or equivalent professional experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of scenic materials and structural engineering for theatre
• Expertise in shop safety standards, carpentry, welding, rigging, automation, and related entertainment technology
• CAD proficiency (VectorWorks proficiency preferred)
• Commitment to ongoing mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students of varying skill levels
• Professional experience in Technical Direction for the entertainment industry

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary is commensurate with experience and credentials. Our academic workloads and schedules provide a positive work/life balance.

Application Materials

For consideration, you must apply online at https://info.umkc.edu/hr/careers/academic-positions/ click in Academic Positions (Job Opening ID 57578).

Please complete the online application form and submit the following materials:

• A one-page cover letter that explains how your work in the past or in the future aligns with the Conservatory vision statement. https://conservatory.umkc.edu/about-us/vision-mission-principles.html
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Contact information for at least three references.
• Links to representative scholarly and/or artistic work.

Please combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document. Additionally, please limit document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). Maximum size limit is 11MB.

If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.
For questions about the position, please contact umkcfacultysearch@umkc.edu including the Job Identification number 57578 and name of the position.
Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity and Title IX at (816) 235-1323.

We will request higher education transcripts for applicants who progress to the finalist stage. A Criminal Background Check is required for the finalist prior to hire.

Application Deadline

Review of applications will begin November 1st and continue until this position is filled.