Assistant Professor of Theatre-Scenic Design

Posting Details

Request to Recruit

Position Title
Assistant Professor of Theatre-Scenic Design

Tenure Status
Tenure Track

Provide Rank
Assistant Professor

Position Number
085501

VISA Sponsorship?
VISA sponsorship is available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.

Department
Theatre & Dance - 265350

Working Location (City, State)
Boone, NC

Position Summary Information

Minimum Qualifications
A terminal degree (MFA) in theatre design/technology with emphasis in scenic design.
University/college-level, theatre teaching/mentoring experience.
Professional experience in scenic design
Areas of Interest (No Minimum Level Required) Additional experience in one or more of the following areas: sound, props, scenic design, scenic painting, lighting, projection, costume, arts management.
A passion for teaching and mentoring undergraduate students.
License/Certification Required

N/A

Description of the Department or Unit

One of seven departments housed in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the mission of the Department of Theatre and Dance is to facilitate transformative experiences for students and the public, which cultivate compassionate, creative, and collaborative communities through theatre and dance. The department also offers coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Its dynamic co-curricular production program provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community, and the region. For further information about the department, visit www.theatreanddance.appstate.edu.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Teaching could include courses such as Scenery & Props, Scenic Painting, The Stage Environment, Stage Management, Dance Production Basics, or other beginning and intermediate design/tech courses in areas of specialization.
Mentoring student designers on departmental productions
Creative Activity/Scholarship will include providing design and technology support for dance and theatre productions as well as engaging in creative/scholarly pursuits.
Service will include participation on committees, recruitment activities, academic advising, etc.
Type of Position
Full Time Position

Appointment Type
1.0

Number Of Months Per Year
9 month

Physical Demands of Position

Typical physical demands of classroom, theatrical, and educational environments in a professional position at a university.

Posting Details Information

Proposed Date of Hire
08/03/2026

Suggested Salary Range
Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

ABD Consideration:
ABD with reduction in rank and salary (see desc. below)

ABD Description

ABD with reduction in rank and salary: ABD will be considered for this position. Evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31 for a fall hire or November 30 for a spring hire. If confirmation of defense is not provided by the deadline, the candidate will receive a new one-year fixed-term contract and be hired at the rank of Instructor. The candidate's salary will also be reduced to a lower rate commensurate with other full-time instructors in the same department. However, if degree verification is provided before the end of the one-year fixed-term contract, the candidate will be returned to the rank of assistant professor with commensurate compensation beginning July 1 of the following academic year.

No ABD consideration: Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.

Special Instructions to Applicants

MFA degree must be awarded by June 15, 2026; ABD will be considered for this position, but evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31, 2026.

For a complete application, please apply and submit all below-required documents electronically through Appalachian State University's Job Board: a cover letter that addresses qualifications,
current CV,
unofficial transcripts,
full contact information for three current references.

Examples of design/technology work will be requested at a later date.

Review of complete applications will begin the first week of February, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

Contact search committee chair Derek Davidson at davidsondsappstate.edu with any questions.

Please note this position is based on enrollment and subject to available funding.

UNC System Code (Section 610(2)) Special Faculty Hires

The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.

Posting Date
01/23/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Evaluation of Applications Begins
02/23/2026

Search Chair Name
Derek Davidson

Search Chair Email
davidsonds@appstate.edu

Quick Link
https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/52707

Posting Number
FA00301P