Assistant Professor of Practice, Technical Directing

Assistant Professor of Practice, Technical Directing
The University of Arizona's School of Theatre, Film & Television (TFTV) invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor of Practice in Technical Direction beginning August 2026. This renewable, non-tenure-track position plays a vital role in supporting our BA training in Live and Screened Performance, the Theatre Arts minor, and the Musical Theatre minor by integrating rigorous classroom instruction with hands‑on production practice.

TFTV is a vibrant, collaborative community of artists and scholars dedicated to storytelling across stage and screen. The School offers nationally respected training in theatre arts, film and television production, musical theatre, and live and screened performance. Students learn in an environment that emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, professional preparation, and creative research. With access to state‑of‑the‑art production facilities, performance venues, and film production resources, TFTV prepares students to become innovative leaders in the performing and media arts industries. Our faculty are accomplished practitioners and scholars committed to mentorship, excellence, and fostering a culture of curiosity and experimentation.

Teaching & Mentorship

Teach undergraduate courses in technical theatre and production, including lecture, laboratory, and production‑based courses in areas such as technical direction, scenic construction, stagecraft, drafting, and production management.

Develop, assess, and maintain a rigorous, practice‑based curriculum that integrates theoretical foundations with hands‑on production experience and prepares students for professional careers in technical theatre and entertainment production.

Mentor, supervise, and evaluate students serving in roles such as Assistant Technical Directors, scenic carpenters, and technical production assistants within the School's production program.

Provide individualized mentorship that supports the development of technical, collaborative, and leadership skills necessary for work in professional theatre and related industries.

Integrate experiential learning, critical thinking, and industry best practices into coursework and production activities in alignment with the Provost's "Success for Every Student" priorities.

Cultivate a pluralistic learning environment that promotes dignity, belonging, and empowerment for all students.

Production Leadership

Serve as Technical Director for productions in the School's four‑show subscription season, overseeing the realization of scenic designs from concept through strike.

Manage the technical planning and execution of scenic production, including drafting interpretation, engineering solutions, budgeting, materials procurement, construction, installation, and technical integration.

Collaborate closely with directors, designers, faculty, staff, and student production teams throughout the design and rehearsal process to ensure that technical solutions support artistic goals while maintaining feasibility, efficiency, and safety.

Attend production meetings and technical rehearsals; advise on production feasibility, scheduling, and technical resource allocation.

Model professional standards and best practices while guiding students through the full technical production process, from design development through construction, installation, performance, and strike.

Maintain an active professional practice that contributes to a creative and scholarly profile.

Shop & Facility Management

Supervise the daily operations of the scene shop and related production facilities, including scheduling, workflow coordination, and oversight of student crews working on scenic construction and installation.

Maintain and enforce safe working practices in accordance with institutional policies and industry safety standards, including training students in safe equipment operation, rigging, and shop procedures.

Oversee equipment maintenance, inventory management, and the acquisition of tools, materials, and shop supplies, ensuring that facilities support the instructional and production mission of the program.

Manage scenic construction budgets in coordination with production management and departmental leadership, ensuring responsible and efficient use of resources.

Season Planning & Production Collaboration

Participate in season planning and production selection discussions, providing early technical consultation regarding feasibility, budgeting, and scheduling considerations.

Collaborate with design and production faculty during the design development process to evaluate technical requirements, materials, construction methods, and shop capacity.

Contribute to the development of production calendars, build schedules, and technical timelines that support efficient production workflows and meaningful student participation.

Support a collaborative production culture that integrates artistic goals with technical innovation, safety, and effective resource management.

Collaboration & Service

Collaborate with faculty and the School Director to evaluate and advance undergraduate (and as appropriate, graduate) curriculum.

Contribute to curriculum development, faculty governance, audition coordination, committee work, and administrative service.

Participate in initiatives across the College of Fine Arts, Arizona Arts, and the broader university, including public engagement and community outreach.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Demonstrate collaborative leadership, student‑centered pedagogy, and a commitment to artistic and academic excellence.

Maintain safe shop and production practices.

Commit to collaborative production processes, including effective work with students, directors, designers, performers, and production staff.

Minimum Qualifications

BS or BA in Technical Theater, Theater Design, or related field with a minimum of 3 years licensed and working as a professional expert in the field of instruction.

Professional experience should include experience as a technical director in a variety of production environments.

Preferred Qualifications

MFA in Technical Theater, Theater Design and Technology, or related field.

Experience teaching at the university level.

Evidence of successful production leadership; including supervising student crews, coordinating production teams, and managing theatrical production budgets.

Evidence of ongoing professional engagement in the field, including conferences, workshops, or professional organizations.

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