Visiting Professor (Lighting Design)
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, United States
Title:
Visiting Professor (Lighting Design)
Employee Classification:
VF - Visiting Fac/Post Doc Fellow
Pay Grade:
VF 00
Division:
Academic and Student Affairs
Subdivision:
School of Comm, Media, Theater Arts
Department:
College of Arts and Sciences
Campus Location:
Main Campus
General Summary
The School of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts seeks a Visiting Professor of Lighting Design for a one‑year appointment with potential for renewal. Classes begin August 31, 2026 and end May 1, 2027.
Responsibilities
Teaching 2 classes per semester (Potential classes from Entertainment Design & Production, Theatre, or Arts Management)
Designing for 1-2 shows per semester (Lighting design, with potential work in other areas of expertise such as sound or projection design)
Teaching/supervising student crew members, designers, and workers in backstage production work
Operating within a typical 10‑week production calendar and adhering to predetermined schedules and deadlines
Maintaining regular office hours
Assessing student work and performance, and assigning and submitting grades in accordance with established University schedules
Working with design/production faculty and staff to assess and grade students enrolled in Theatre Practice each semester
Attending regular School and Area meetings, as scheduled
Producing research/sketches/draftings/renderings/paperwork for design elements
Attending production meetings, collaborating with the director and production team
Coordinating hang and focus for any show where serving as the LD
Coordinating with the Technical Director to train and supervise student crew members on delegated production area
Designing, sourcing, pulling, and renting elements within a pre‑established budget
Attending company meetings, designer runs, dress rehearsals, and performances, as well as necessary crew calls to supervise student workers
Work collaboratively with colleagues on productions
Mentoring student designers and crew members, as opportunities arise
Minimum Qualifications
The successful applicant will have an MFA (or suitable terminal degree) in Lighting Design or a related design discipline with significant professional experience in Lighting Design.
In addition, the candidate should have experience teaching at the university level and mentoring student designers. This role requires a working knowledge of modern lighting systems (i.e. networked lighting, show control, and multi‑console environments), design software / platforms (i.e. Vectorworks, ETC EOS, LightWright, etc.) and ability to teach them.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in one or more additional design / tech areas (particularly sound and/or projection design)
Professional experience in design / technology / production work in the wider entertainment industry (opera, dance, experience design, theme parks, museum / installation, etc.)
Membership in Union (USA829 / IATSE) and/or professional organizations such as USITT / SETC / ACTF, etc.
Special Instructions
Please attach a cover letter, CV, 3 references, and a link to your design portfolio (or portfolio file of representative works). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled.
Appointment Percentage:
100%
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Visiting Professor (Lighting Design)
Employee Classification:
VF - Visiting Fac/Post Doc Fellow
Pay Grade:
VF 00
Division:
Academic and Student Affairs
Subdivision:
School of Comm, Media, Theater Arts
Department:
College of Arts and Sciences
Campus Location:
Main Campus
General Summary
The School of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts seeks a Visiting Professor of Lighting Design for a one‑year appointment with potential for renewal. Classes begin August 31, 2026 and end May 1, 2027.
Responsibilities
Teaching 2 classes per semester (Potential classes from Entertainment Design & Production, Theatre, or Arts Management)
Designing for 1-2 shows per semester (Lighting design, with potential work in other areas of expertise such as sound or projection design)
Teaching/supervising student crew members, designers, and workers in backstage production work
Operating within a typical 10‑week production calendar and adhering to predetermined schedules and deadlines
Maintaining regular office hours
Assessing student work and performance, and assigning and submitting grades in accordance with established University schedules
Working with design/production faculty and staff to assess and grade students enrolled in Theatre Practice each semester
Attending regular School and Area meetings, as scheduled
Producing research/sketches/draftings/renderings/paperwork for design elements
Attending production meetings, collaborating with the director and production team
Coordinating hang and focus for any show where serving as the LD
Coordinating with the Technical Director to train and supervise student crew members on delegated production area
Designing, sourcing, pulling, and renting elements within a pre‑established budget
Attending company meetings, designer runs, dress rehearsals, and performances, as well as necessary crew calls to supervise student workers
Work collaboratively with colleagues on productions
Mentoring student designers and crew members, as opportunities arise
Minimum Qualifications
The successful applicant will have an MFA (or suitable terminal degree) in Lighting Design or a related design discipline with significant professional experience in Lighting Design.
In addition, the candidate should have experience teaching at the university level and mentoring student designers. This role requires a working knowledge of modern lighting systems (i.e. networked lighting, show control, and multi‑console environments), design software / platforms (i.e. Vectorworks, ETC EOS, LightWright, etc.) and ability to teach them.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in one or more additional design / tech areas (particularly sound and/or projection design)
Professional experience in design / technology / production work in the wider entertainment industry (opera, dance, experience design, theme parks, museum / installation, etc.)
Membership in Union (USA829 / IATSE) and/or professional organizations such as USITT / SETC / ACTF, etc.
Special Instructions
Please attach a cover letter, CV, 3 references, and a link to your design portfolio (or portfolio file of representative works). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled.
Appointment Percentage:
100%
#J-18808-Ljbffr