Career Center

Working/Functional Title

Ast Inst/Inst/Ast Prof Fixed Term - Theatre

Position Summary

The Department of Theatre seeks to hire a full-time, one-year Fixed-Term Assistant Professor, Instructor, or Assistant Instructor of Scene Design (with possible renewal), starting August 16, 2026. The successful candidate will be a collaborative member in a production environment and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Scene Design, Media Design, Scene Painting, and Drafting, as well as courses in the University’s Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities. Other classes to be taught may include introduction to technical theatre, topics in production design, and graduate design studio. The candidate will participate in departmental production activities and design (or mentor student designers) in department productions each year, supervise scenic painters and properties artisans, and mentor/supervise student designers. Continued work in the professional field is encouraged.

Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre is a vibrant organization offering a BA, BFA (acting, design, and stage management), MFA (acting and design), and Minors in Dance and Musical Theatre.  The Department presents a series of major productions each academic year. http://theatre.msu.edu/

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Other -MFA (see minimum qualifications for more information)

Minimum Requirements

• MFA or MA in scenic design preferred; BA or BFA in scenic design considered with 5 years of professional experience.

• Experience teaching at the college level.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and/or Vectorworks.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• A positive attitude and the ability to effectively collaborate with others.

Desired Qualifications

• Strong mentorship of scenic design, props, paint, and/or media for graduate and/or undergraduate students
• Proficiency in traditional craftspersonship and modern technology to produce high-quality scenic or media designs
• Union/professional affiliations
• Ability to teach and mentor across design disciplines

Required Application Materials

1. a cover letter
2. current curriculum vitae
3. website or online design portfolio
4. the names and email addresses of 3 potential referees (please fill out the initial application with these names and emails)
5. Additional supplemental materials (i.e., teaching syllabi, teaching philosophy, etc.) (optional)

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin June 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. Applications must be submitted electronically to the Michigan State University Human Resources website http://careers.msu.edu. Posting number 1128920.

For more information, contact Karen Kangas-Preston, Chair of the Search Committee at kangaspr@msu.edu.

Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation.

Review of Applications Begins On

06/01/2026

Website

http://theatre.msu.edu/

Department Statement

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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