Lighting Designer/Stage Manager - Department of Dance and Choreography - VCUarts
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
Full-time
Design
Posted on June 6, 2023
Lighting Designer/Stage Manager
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
Department of Dance and Choreography
Application Deadline: July 7, 2023
This part-time adjunct faculty appointment begins August 16, 2023 and ends May 15, 2024.
The Opportunity
The Lighting Designer and Stage Manager will provide the technical direction, stage management, communication and facilitation needed for the department to present a professionally produced, well organized, safe and artistically strong production series each year involving students as the core production crew.
Responsibilities
Teaching:
Teach one undergraduate class (2 credits), including DANC 260 (Dance Production Workshop). Teaching responsibilities also include supporting the Senior Project class during the Fall and Spring semesters by contributing to class content, streamlining communications and ensuring appropriate support for student works. Other classroom instructional engagements could include presenting a public talk or participation in a panel discussion, or serving as a guest critic or guest speaker in a class.
Lighting Design:
- Design lighting for VCU Dance student and faculty productions
- Serve as contact for all guest companies or productions presented by VCU Dance
- Work with visiting production designers and technical staff to effectively execute design and production elements
- Serve as liaison between guest dance companies, department Chair, Technical Director and staff when preparing for visiting productions presented by VCU Dance
- Create breakdown of technical/production schedule in consultation with the Department Chair, Technical Director, and Faculty Concert Director
- Plan and create crew schedules, time-tables and crew lists
- Conduct sign-up days for student crews
- Provide direction and supervision to students in relation to crew calls and crew work
- Attend Friday Workshop Meeting on a regular basis to make announcements and organize crews for upcoming productions
- Serve as logistical and technical support for off-site departmental performances
- Provide leadership and mentorship in the areas of lighting design and technical theater
- Orient students to the lighting design process
- Provide supportive, informed leadership when collaborating with students on lighting design for their choreographic projects
- Uphold departmental policies, set and expect a positive, professional working environment for students, and mentor students who show a particular interest in technical theater
- Provide students with training on professional production procedures, as well as safe and effective use of production equipment.
- Appropriate professional experience in technical theater and lighting design
- MFA or the equivalent combination of education, professional training and experience
- Knowledge of all procedures connected with technical direction of dance and theatrical productions
- Demonstrated ability to design lights for dance, and knowledge of dance as an art form
- Experience teaching on an undergraduate level
- Interest and experience in working with students, running student crews, and training student crews
- Stage management skills
- Ability to create and execute technical production schedules
- Ability to set up, run and maintain theater/video/sound/lighting equipment
- Experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment and a commitment to equity, diversity and accessibility in teaching, leadership and practice
- Strong collaboration skills and communication skills, and enthusiasm toward teaching and working with faculty, staff and students within the university; and to building and maintaining professional relationships
- Must be willing to work some evenings and weekends to align schedule with student performances
- The part-time adjunct faculty will receive a contract with an instructional salary commensurate with experience and relevant experience and qualifications
- This is a part-time adjunct faculty appointment. Health care, life insurance, retirement, and/or leave benefits are not provided with this appointment
- In order to comply with applicable federal and state laws and policies, part-time, non-benefited employees are not permitted to work more than twenty-nine (29) hours per week on average
Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion – an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. VCUarts strongly encourages applications from all racial, ethnic, gender, and social identities.
Only electronic applications will be accepted. The following documents should be submitted online via the VCU Jobs Website:
- Letter of Interest that includes an overview of professional experience
- Resume/CV
- List of three references including names with titles and contact information (references will not be contacted prior to a candidate's approval).
VCUarts:
Ranked by US News & World Report as a top-five arts and design school, VCUarts (arts.vcu.edu) includes over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students with nationally recognized programs in design, visual and performing arts, and has an annual budget of $38 million and an endowment of more than $13.5 million. Students are taught by over 175 full-time teaching and research faculty members and the school is supported by over 60 staff members that assist in daily processes. The School includes two campuses; one in Richmond and one in Doha, Qatar. The Richmond campus is located on the university's 75-acre Monroe Park campus situated in the city's historic Fan District. Ultimately, the work of the School of the Arts extends globally with partnerships throughout the world and across fields as diverse as the humanities, health care and business.
Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing accessible and equitable living, learning and working environments free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability.
Salary Range: Commensurate with Strengths and Experience
Department: School of the Arts, Department of Dance and Choreography
Employment Type: AJ - Adjunct
Restricted Status: No
FTE: varies