Position #: F00233

Department: Theatre

Employment Status: Full time (29-40 Hrs)

# of openings: 1

Proposed Salary Range: Commensurate with Experience

Type of Employment: Faculty

Location: ASU-Jonesboro

Closing: 3/16/26
Please note: All postings close at 12 A.M. CST on the closing date. A-State participates in E-Verify.

Position Summary:

The Department of Theatre at Arkansas State University invites applications for a Full-Time Assistant Professor of Theatre in Lighting and Design. This is a 9-month tenure-track teaching appointment starting Fall 2026.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Teaching a 4/4 load, which typically includes one academic course, two laboratory sections, and serving as the lighting and sound designer for two productions each semester. Possible courses are Sound Design, Lighting Design, Principles of Stage Design, Stage Management, Fine Arts Theatre (part of the General Education Humanities curriculum), and Theatre Laboratory.
• Overseeing or serving as the Head Electrician for departmental productions.
• Overseeing creation of lighting paperwork, such as lighting plots, instrument schedules, channel lists, and programming lighting consoles.
• Maintaining inventory for all lighting equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Supervising and training student crews in design and technology.
• Mentoring and supervising student designers.
• Being available for student supervision during evening and weekend rehearsals and performances.
• Occasionally transporting materials and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds with or without assistance.
• Working collegially and collaboratively with students and faculty.
• Actively participating and/or serving on departmental, college, and university committees as assigned.
• Contributing to recruitment and retention efforts, including prospective student events.

Department Overview:

The Arkansas State University Department of Theatre offers rigorous theatre training in a liberal arts environment. Students receive a comprehensive education, whether choosing a general approach or the more select experiences within the three emphases: Acting, Design Technology, or Musical Theatre. The curriculum is designed to combine classroom instruction with practical production experience, as both are integral to the student's development. Classroom experiences provide theoretical, historical, and critical examinations of the theatre as art, craft, and discipline, while production experiences offer practical opportunities for exploring and applying these concepts. This liberal arts-based education provides opportunities to master critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving skills, preparing graduates to become engaged, thoughtful, and compassionate citizens of a global world.

Facilities:

The Department of Theatre is housed within Fowler Center, Arkansas State University's premier performing arts complex. The 344-seat Drama Theatre serves as the primary venue for plays and musicals, featuring stepped seating to maximize sight lines and acoustics designed for spoken drama productions. The proscenium features a 40' x 20' opening, and a complete catwalk system provides access for lighting and rigging areas. The stage house features a suspended floor and full fly-loft, rigged so that scenic properties may be "flown" out of view.

Adjacent to the Drama Theatre is the Simpson Theatre, a flexible black box space that allows for various configurations, providing students opportunities to develop skills required to work in many different kinds of venues.

Additional facilities include a Light Lab equipped with intelligent LED theatrical lighting and a small theatrical sound system, a Design Lab featuring Apple iMacs with CAD, lighting, and sound design software, and access to Adobe's Creative Cloud, as well as drafting tables and a wide-format printer. The Costume Shop is equipped with 14 Bernina sewing machines, industrial irons, sergers, a dye vat, cutting tables, and an embroidery machine. The Scene Shop is among the finest in the region, equipped with a variety of professional-grade stationary and portable power tools, as well as a 3D printer.

About Arkansas State University: Arkansas State University (A-State), founded in 1909, is the second largest university in Arkansas with a growing enrollment nearing 18,000 students. As a Carnegie Research 2 institution and the premier university of the mid-South, A-State is committed to teaching, research, and service. Located in Jonesboro, A-State offers a vibrant campus life with a diverse student body and a strong tradition of student-focused instruction. With more than 150 degree programs, including robust online offerings, A-State combines world-class research with academic excellence and is a catalyst for progress in the Delta and Mid-South regions.

About Jonesboro:

Jonesboro is the regional hub of Northeast Arkansas for healthcare, entertainment, business, and industry. It is the 5th largest city in Arkansas with a population of over 76,000. The Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) encompasses over 130,000 people. The A-State campus is centrally located in Jonesboro with the thriving downtown entertainment sector to the west and the growing Hilltop area to the east. Jonesboro provides convenient access to major markets via interstate and four-lane highways. Memphis, TN (1 hour); Little Rock, AR (2 hours); St. Louis, MO (4 hours); and Nashville, TN (4 hours).

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

The applicant should present evidence of excellence in teaching, active scholarly and creative work, knowledge of current trends in the field, and artistic leadership in the area of theatrical lighting design.

General Days/Hours:

Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM plus additional hours for productions on weekends and weekday evenings.

Other:

Application deadline: Review of applications will begin on October 24, 2025, and continue until the vacancy is filled. This position is housed on the Jonesboro campus; all applications must be received online. Visit https://jobs.astate.edu to apply (F00233)

Please upload the following:
- Cover letter addressing qualifications
- Curriculum vitae
- Indication of professional designs such as portfolio
- Contact information for five professional references

Transcripts will be requested by the search committee after the initial screening of applicants.

Rank: Assistant Professor. Start Date: 16 August 2026. Salary: $50,000. For additional information, please contact DayDay Robinson, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Chair of Search Committee: Full-Time Assistant Professor of Lighting and Design. Email: drobinson@astate.edu

Additional Considerations:
- Experience with projections design.
- Proficiency in utilizing moving, intelligent, and LED lighting instruments.
- Membership in professional organizations such as IATSE, USA, USITT, etc.
- Current OSHA 30-Hour Training Program Certificate & DOL Card.
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion in educational settings.
- Proficiency with ETC light console.
- Proficiency with Yamaha and/or Behringer Sound Console.

Minimum Qualifications:

An earned M.F.A. in Lighting Design, or a closely related field, or equivalent professional experience

Demonstrated proficiency in lighting design for theatrical productions

Proficiency in utilizing moving, intelligent, and LED lighting instruments

E-Verify Participation Notice:

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf

E-Verify Right to Work:

https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng_Es.pdf