Job Description

Job Type: Full time

Job Number: JR100284

Location: Greencastle,

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 15, 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.

Employee Benefits Overview

There are many benefits offered to DePauw Employees.

For full time benefits eligible employees these benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance . Basic Life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) and Long Term Disability are paid for by DePauw University. Full time employees may elect to purchase additional voluntary life insurance for themselves and their dependents. Additional voluntary benefits , Tuition Remission and Exchange , as well as Relocation Allowance are also employee benefits. See the Benefits Hub.

All employees may participate in the retirement savings plan , as well as employee discounts and access to University resources.

At DePauw, we recognize that our employees need to balance work and home. Please refer to University Policies for Vacation Time , Personal Time (hourly) and Sick Time policies in the Employee Handbook for more information on these and other benefits. When you need support, the Cigna Employee Assistance benefit is available to all employees and their households.

• Welch Fitness Center and wellness classes
• Indoor Tennis and Track Center
• University Libraries
• Peeler art galleries
• Green Center for the Performing Arts events and programs
• Ubben lecture series
• Free athletic events
• Bookstore and Starbucks (Greencastle) discounts
• Employee discounted meal plan
• Free parking
• Nature park, including walking and biking trails
• Personal duplicating and printing discounts

EEO is the law. Click here for more information.

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