Assistant or Associate Professor of Scenic Design

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Job Category:

Faculty

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Assistant Professor

Job Summary:

The Department of Theatre and Drama at the University of Wisconsin – Madison invites applications for an Assistant/Associate Professor faculty position in the field of Scenic Design. We seek visionary candidates who aspire to shape the future of theatre by integrating traditional design techniques with digital design methodologies in theatre and the wider field of entertainment design.

The faculty scenic designer plays a critical role in the academic culture of the Department of Theatre and Drama. We seek an instructor who is passionate about student training, involvement, and mentorship. Faculty are expected to contribute meaningfully to the intellectual and artistic life of the Department. The Department expects the Scenic Design faculty member to work with our design faculty to build an undergraduate design program by fostering growth through collaborative leadership in design.

The Department values an equally collaborative world-building process in design. The Scenic Designer works within the processed-based design team in a true collaborative process. The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic collaborator with a multifaceted understanding across specialties of scene, paint, props, light, media, and costumes.

The University Theatre is the producing structure of the Department whose mission is to provide opportunities for students to learn through live production experiences. The Scenic Designer mentor student designers in University Theatre productions. Faculty design roles for University Theatre are assigned by the Department Chairperson in consultation with the University Theatre Artistic Director.

The School of Education and the Department of Theatre and Drama is home to talented students learning and training alongside faculty with diverse experiences in the performing arts. Part of the vibrant arts community at UW–Madison, the Department is home to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Theatre, with specializations in “Acting” or “Design and Technology”. The Department also hosts a growing Certificate in Theatre, the UW-Madison equivalent of an undergraduate minor.

The Department of Theatre and Drama resides in the UW-Madison School of Education, which is regularly ranked as one of the top Schools of Education in the nation. The School is proud of the outstanding breadth of its programs, with departments in Education, Health, and the Arts. The School views this broad range of programs as a tremendous strength.

Typical responsibilities of this tenure/tenure-track position are to:

Expand knowledge in the field of theatre through creative and/or scholarly research

Publish research findings or exhibit creative works in venues appropriate to areas of scholarship

Seek external research funding as appropriate for the area of study

Teach courses in areas of expertise

Mentor undergraduate students

Contribute to undergraduate program development in the department

Develop courses inside areas of expertise for major and non-majors populations

Participate in interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts within the department and with other departments, schools, and colleges

Participate in department, school, university, and professional service appropriate to the faculty rank

Anticipated appointment start date:

Preferred appointment start date is 8/23/2027, Fall Semester 2027

Key Job Responsibilities:

Department:

School of Education, Theatre and Drama

Compensation:

Negotiable, 9 month Academic Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and experience. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

Required Qualifications:

Evidence of potential for developing and directing a significant research program and creative practice in Theatrical or Entertainment Design.

3 years of professional design experience (not affiliated with home educational institution).

3 years of teaching experience.

Evidence of ability to adapt to change and meet deadlines.

Demonstrated understanding of scenic design process and digital deliverables, art treatments, including providing paint elevations to scenic artists, an understanding of scenic art treatments, and ability to produce design documentation in scale.

Associate Professor candidates must possess experience and scholarly credentials that meet the tenure standards of the Department of Theatre and Drama and the Divisional Committee at UW-Madison. These credentials are demonstrated by a distinguished body of professional work at the highest national level. Central to the role is a deep and sustained commitment to teaching, mentoring, and inspiring students. Successful candidates have a sustained record of commitment to departmental, institutional, and national service.

Preferred Qualifications:

5 years of professional design experience

3 years of classroom teaching experience in Higher Education

Evidence of Grant Writing Experience

Digital Environment Design in Unity, Unreal, or similar video game engine

Professional connections in the theatre/entertainment industry

Design experience in more than one theatrical design discipline (lighting, costumes, sound, media, etc.)

Member of professional organizations like USITT and/or USA 829

Established National Profile

Ability to apply student-centered teaching techniques in a laboratory setting

Demonstrated leadership capacity in various roles

Demonstrated commitment to working with majors and non-majors of various abilities

Interest in experimental learning with products, materials, and processes

Education:

MFA (or other terminal degree) in Theatre and Drama or closely related field with emphasis in Design

How to Apply:

Please go to the “Apply Now” area and select your current UW Employment Status. Upload a copy of your current resume and a cover letter. Note: incomplete application packages that do not include all of the requested documentation will not be considered.

Upload the following documentation as a single PDF:

current curriculum vitae

cover letter including research and teaching statements

a complete self-generated design package for a fully realized production with a professional company/venue

Please note, there is only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field. Additional materials, including three reference letters, may be requested at various points in the consideration process.

For full consideration, all materials must be received no later than 11:59pm on 8/15/2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Contact Information:

Beth Quarles, Department Administrator

beth.quarles@wisc.edu

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, s