Adjunct Instructor of Introduction to Technical Theatre — Scenic Design at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX

Job description

Abilene Christian University is affiliated with the fellowship of the Churches of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and willing to support the Christian mission of ACU. ‌ Duties 1. Serve as an instructor for Introduction to Technical Theatre, a foundational course introducing ACU Theatre’s first-year BFA students to the principles, practices, and vocabulary of theatrical design and production. The course will equip students from all BFA concentrations with the foundational technical skills necessary to participate effectively in ACU Theatre productions and understand the collaborative relationship among performance, design, and production. 2. Lead 31 BFA freshmen through hands-on training in scenic design and construction, including: ● Scenic- and technical-theatre vocabulary ● Proper scene-shop procedures and safety practices ● Identification, operation, and care of essential hand and power tools ● Basic scenic-construction techniques ● Accurate measuring, scale, and introductory drafting ● Identification, selection, and appropriate use of common scenic materials ● Basic scenic painting, color mixing, texture, and surface treatments ● Foundational principles of color, composition, proportion, scale, and design ● Interpretation of introductory scenic drawings, plans, and construction documents ● Construction and finishing of basic scenic elements ● Safe handling, installation, maintenance, and storage of scenery, materials, tools, and equipment ● An understanding of how scenic design supports character, environment, storytelling, and the overall theatrical aesthetic 3. Provide clear demonstrations, supervise practical assignments, assess student progress, and foster a safe, collaborative, creative, and professional scene-shop environment. Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this beginning-level course, students will be able to: ● Identify and correctly use foundational scenic- and technical-theatre vocabulary. ● Demonstrate safe and responsible practices when working in theatrical shops and production spaces. ● Identify, operate, and properly care for basic hand tools, power tools, and scene-shop equipment. ● Measure, mark, cut, fasten, assemble, and finish basic scenic materials accurately and safely. ● Read and interpret introductory scenic drawings, ground plans, elevations, and construction documents. ● Apply basic concepts of scale and use accurate measurements in scenic construction. ● Identify common scenic materials and explain their properties, appropriate uses, and limitations. ● Apply introductory principles of color, texture, shape, composition, proportion, scale, and visual storytelling to scenic work. ● Demonstrate basic scenic-painting, color-mixing, texturing, and surface-treatment techniques. ● Construct, alter, finish, or install a basic scenic element using appropriate tools, materials, and construction methods. ● Follow instructions, manage materials responsibly, and complete assigned projects within established deadlines. ● Collaborate effectively with classmates, designers, technicians, performers, stage managers, and production personnel. ● Demonstrate an understanding of how scenic design and construction contribute to the visual world, aesthetic unity, storytelling, and overall theatrical production process. Qualifications 1. The successful candidate will possess an MFA in Scenic Design, Theatre Design, Technical Theatre, Technical Direction, or a closely related discipline. Candidates with an equivalent combination of graduate-level education, professional training, teaching experience, and significant professional standing may also be considered. 2. The candidate should demonstrate: ● Extensive knowledge of technical theatre and design, with particular expertise in scenic design, scenic construction, drafting, carpentry, scenic painting, materials, finishes, installation, and stagecraft. ● Experience working on large-scale theatrical productions in a