Assistant Professor of Practice, Technical Directing

The University of Arizonas 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.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health dental and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; sick leave and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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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 Schools 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 Provosts 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 Schools 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

• The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate collaborative leadership student-centered pedagogy and a commitment to artistic and academic excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain safe shop and production practices.
• Ability to commit to collaborative production processes including effective work with students directors designers performers and production staff.

• BS or BA in Technical Theater Theater Design or related field with a minimum of licensed and working as a professional expert in the field of instruction for a minimum of 3 years.
• Professional Experience should include experience as a technical director in a variety of production environments

• 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.