ASSISTANT TEACHING PROFESSOR of Technical Direction / UMKC CONSERVATORY / Theatre Division

UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY

CONSERVATORY

Theatre Division / Technical Director

A community of artists, educators, and scholars, the UMKC Conservatory offers a comprehensive array of liberal arts and professional degree programs. We seek colleagues who will help build the future of education and research in the performing arts. We seek scholars who demonstrate a growth mindset, with an understanding that learning is an ongoing process. We seek faculty who believe that art has the power to help us understand ourselves, each other, and our culture while empowering us to move that culture forward. We seek qualified candidates will engage in work that appeals to, and positively impacts, the global population. They will work strategically in ways that adapt to the opportunities in their regions, and work within frameworks that embrace transdisciplinary possibilities. https://conservatory.umkc.edu/about-us/index.html

The UMKC Conservatory invites applications for the position of a 9-month, full time, ranked, non-tenure track, Assistant Teaching Professor of Technical Direction beginning Fall 2026. This faculty member will serve on the Conservatory Production Team to oversee the scenic elements of all production in the Conservatory's season, in collaboration with the Scenic Shop Supervisor. They will also teach up to 2 courses each semester. Production work includes collaboration with various local professional partners in theatres across the city and region.

Primary Responsibilities

• Engineer, draft, and cost all major productions of the Conservatory season (Theatre, Opera, and Dance), which may require minimal summer work to prepare the first show of the fall season.
• Assist in the building, painting, loading, striking, etc. of Conservatory productions.
• Teach up to 2 courses each semester, including Introduction to Technical Direction, Introduction to Lighting and Sound Technology, Introduction to Technical Drafting (VectorWorks), and other special topics offerings.
• Teaching to include graduate-level courses in Technical Direction as needed.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in various technical production roles.
• Engage in a variety of service activities including committees, outreach, and community partnerships.
• Engage in recruitment activities.
• Collaborate with faculty across the Conservatory providing interdisciplinary experiences that train students in an integrated artist-scholar framework.

• Terminal degree in Technical Direction, Scenic Design, or related field; or equivalent professional experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of scenic materials and structural engineering for theatre
• Expertise in shop safety standards, carpentry, welding, rigging, automation, and related entertainment technology
• CAD proficiency (VectorWorks proficiency preferred)
• Commitment to ongoing mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students of varying skill levels
• Professional experience in Technical Direction for the entertainment industry

Salary is commensurate with experience and credentials. Our academic workloads and schedules provide a positive work/life balance. evidence of success in externally funded research.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

For consideration, you must apply online at https://info.umkc.edu/hr/careers/academic-positions/ click in Academic Positions (Job Opening ID 57578 ).

Please complete the online application form and submit the following materials:

• A one-page cover letter that explains how your work in the past or in the future aligns with the Conservatory vision statement. https://conservatory.umkc.edu/about-us/vision-mission-principles.html
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Contact information for at least three references.
• Links to representative scholarly and/or artistic work.

Please combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document. Additionally, please limit document name to 50 characters and do not include any special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). Maximum size limit is 11MB.

• If you are experiencing technical problems during application, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu .
• For questions about the position, please contact umkcfacultysearch@umkc.edu including the Job Identification number 57578 and name of the position.
• Reasonable accommodations may be requested during the application and recruitment process. If you need an accommodation, please contact the Office of Equity and Title IX at (816) 235-1323.

We will request higher education transcripts for applicants who progress to the finalist stage. A Criminal Background Check is required for the finalist prior to hire.

Review of applications will begin November 1^st and continue until this position is filled.

UMKC is a public, urban, research university with more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. It is part of the larger University of Missouri System of four campuses. UMKC is the designated Arts Campus for the UM System. Our university is committed to being a model urban university that is recognized for our partnerships with surrounding urban communities to effectively foster a healthy, safe, and more economically secure quality of life.

We are proud to be Kansas City's university! https://www.umkc.edu/

A City on the Rise: Big City Life and Midwest Charm, Kansas City offers the best of both worlds - a vibrant, urban community with midwestern appeal and an affordable cost of living. The university is located in a Kansas City metropolitan area that is among the most entrepreneurial cities in America with a population of more than 2.4 million. Our UMKC campuses are centered in the hubs of business activity, cultural arts, (some great barbeque and ethnic cuisine!) and health science research engagement for both the Volker and Health Sciences campuses. Our community boasts championship professional athletic teams, NASCAR racing, and a rich history of music and performing arts. Our beautiful state provides rivers, lakes, biking/hiking trails and mountains for outdoor enthusiasts all within an easy drive. https://www.visitkc.com/

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.