VP Area: Theatre School

Department: Theatre School

FLSA Status: Exempt

Benefit Eligibility:  Yes

The School of Theatre at Oklahoma City University invites culturally and academically diverse applicants for an Assistant Professor in Stage Management position beginning August 2024. This is a nine-month, non-tenure track faculty position. The successful candidate will team with our Professor of Stage & Production Management and professional artistic community and will have primary teaching duties in stage management. Candidates with the ability to teach and mentor in a secondary design or production area are desired. Rotating courses include Stage/Production Management, Opera & Musical Theatre Stage Management, Script Analysis, and may include other courses depending on the candidate’s qualifications. Faculty members are expected to be actively engaged in School of Theatre recruiting and retention efforts both on-campus and at regional and national events. Applicants should have professional experience as a theatre artist and a passion for teaching and mentoring students within a rigorous, undergraduate professional training program.

OCU is committed to building a diverse and inclusive faculty, staff, and student body. We welcome applications from members of groups traditionally underrepresented in the faculties of higher education institutions. The School of Theatre is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and is aligned with our university’s overarching vision and mission. Further, we aspire to engage in our work in equitable and inclusive ways, and desire to work with a team member who is committed to our university’s and Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s strategic goals.

Teaching

• Instruction of introductory level stage management courses
• Instruction of advanced-level stage management courses
• Instruction of other design & production courses in candidate’s area of expertise if applicable
• Co-leading weekly SM-based seminars

Mentorship

• Assist in mentoring student stage managers on OCU productions such as Main Stage, Spotlight, and Studio productions
• Assist in mentoring student stage managers on partner productions
• Provide rehearsal process oversight of stage managers; examples include: weekly mentoring drop-ins at rehearsals, weekly SM area meetings, and production meetings
• Assist the Professor of Stage/Production Management on academic and advising matters

Service Requirements

• Assist the Professor of Stage/Production Management in scheduling and execution of production activities for Theatre and Music productions and selected partnership productions
• Production manager for Oklahoma Children’s Theatre productions
• Participate in a range of production-based meetings
• Participate in monthly faculty-based meetings
• Actively participate in School of Theatre-based recruitment and retention  
• Service on school committees
• Other duties as assigned

Scholarship

• Maintain professionally based work in Stage Management
• Attend and participate in national and regional disciplined based conferences and workshops

Required Qualifications

• MFA in Stage Management is highly desired; related graduate degrees or relevant professional experience may be considered
• A minimum of two years in regional or national professional stage management experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of university-level teaching experience
• AEA and AGMA Membership
• A background in stage management in touring as a stage manager,
• A background in stage management opera and dance stage management
• Ability to teach courses in a secondary design & production area

Required Application Materials:

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vitae
• Brief statement of teaching philosophy
• List of professional references
• Link to professional website or digital portfolio materials

School of Theatre

The School of Theatre offers comprehensive and diverse undergraduate-focused programs with tracks in professional and applied theatre training. We offer a BFA in Acting, BFA in Design and Production, and a BA in Theatre Entrepreneurship in a program that has gained a national reputation and currently has a steady population of around 200 majors. We also offer an MFA in Screen Acting that is taught in Los Angeles and London. The School of Theatre is a part of the Margaret E. Petree College of Performing Arts which includes the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment and the Wanda L. Bass School of Music.

The nationally recognized Design and Production area supports the mainstage and lab productions for the School of Theatre and the Opera & Musical Theatre program in the Bass School of Music. The school has partnerships with two local professional theatre companies: Oklahoma Children’s Theatre and Lyric Theatre. The Design and Production area has three additional partnerships: Oklahoma City Ballet, Music Theatre Wichita and Factor 110.

The School of Theatre prepares young theatre artists for a sustainable, professional life. Our faculty inspire undergraduate students in a rigorous, disciplined, and collaborative academic and production environment. Our program is grounded in the philosophy of putting theory into practice from the classroom to the stage to produce creative, culturally aware, and highly effective theatrical artists. More information on our programs and productions can be found at: www.okcu.edu/theatre