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Human Resources

2025-26 Assistant Professor of Scenic Design

Illinois Wesleyan University invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Scenic Design (Teaching Track). The teaching track focuses on developing innovative curricula as well as contributing to the success of students, the department, and the university. It is a renewable, nine-month appointment built on consecutive six-year contracts. Typically initial appointments are at the rank of Assistant Professor, with the possibility of promotion to the ranks of Associate Professor and Professor. While not eligible for tenure, appointments on the teaching track are designed to support long-term teaching engagement and continued professional growth. Teaching track faculty are eligible for a sabbatical following the successful renewal of the initial six-year contract and every seven years thereafter. Additional benefits for the position include start-up funds and three-course releases to be taken in the first five years of appointment. Professional development funding is available, as is mentoring both within and outside of the department. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The start date for this position is August 15, 2025.

The School of Theatre Arts seeks candidates whose artistic achievement, teaching, and service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in higher education.  Diversity in our environment embraces the acceptance of a multiplicity of diverse backgrounds and worldviews.  We translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. We believe that such experiences are both institutional and service imperatives. We encourage applications from individuals with demonstrated knowledge of and relevant abilities working with diverse communities.  

This position combines teaching and production responsibilities. Teaching can be in rotation and may include any of the following: fundamentals of design, scenic design, Vectorworks drafting, history of decor and architecture, props, paint/faux finishes, visual concepts, special topics related to areas of expertise, and the ability to develop and/or teaching writing in the major. Design responsibilities include: designing or supervising student designers for our Mainstage or Laboratory season (a total of six productions) and shared supervision of undergraduate students enrolled in Theatre Laboratory. Independent study courses and special topics courses connected to student designers and their projects will be part of this appointment’s design responsibilities.

More specifically, the position includes: 

  • A teaching load of eight assignments per year divided between production and curriculum 
  • Academic advising in the discipline
  • Professional achievement and activity: Teaching track faculty are expected to maintain currency in the profession and pedagogy 
  • School and University service

Qualifications: 

  • MFA and/or Ph.D. in Scenic Design
  • Experience teaching at the undergraduate level 
  • Professional design experience
  • Additional preferred qualifications may include membership with:
  • USITT
  • USA 829
  • IATSE

Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan University is a nationally ranked, small, private undergraduate liberal arts university with rigorous admission criteria and a tradition of teaching excellence emphasizing the integration of the liberal arts and professional education. We are located in Bloomington, IL, a metro area of 170,000 people, which is about a two or three-hour drive from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. We are strongly committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students. Illinois Wesleyan University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. An overview of IWU’s benefits can be found here: https://www.iwu.edu/human-resources/current-employees.html.

All applications should be sent electronically. Please include:

  • in your cover letter a statement describing your perspectives on and, preferably, experience with promoting inclusion;
  • teaching statement;
  • curriculum vita;
  • graduate school transcripts;
  • names and contact information for three or more references, or three letters of reference;
  • portfolio or website address.

Email materials by January 8, 2025:

Jean Kerr, Director
School of Theatre Arts
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL 61702-2900
jkerr@iwu.edu

For further information see http://www2.iwu.edu/iwujobs/Positions.shtml.