The Department of Theatre & Dance in the School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Richmond invites applications for a semester-long Visiting Lecturer in Scenic Design position for the spring semester, beginning on January 11, 2027. A Master of Fine Arts in Scenic Design/Scenography is required by the time of appointment.
We seek a teacher-scholar who shares our commitment to highly effective teaching at all levels of the curriculum. The successful candidate will teach one course in scenic design (or a related area aligned with departmental needs); serve as Scenic Designer for our spring musical, Newsies (April 2027); design and oversee scenic properties for the production; work as lead scenic artist in close collaboration with our Technical Supervisor in the scene shop; and mentor and supervise student employees and lab students in the construction and painting process. Additional responsibilities include providing scenic support for our spring dance concert, including projection design depending on the candidate’s expertise and departmental needs, as well as collaborating on and mentoring student capstone projects with other faculty. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in properties, scenic painting, construction, and design techniques (e.g., hand drafting, Vectorworks, Photoshop, Qlab, and model-making / 3D visualization).
Working knowledge of safety codes and practices, and of current trends in scenic technology.
Experience working with diverse student populations and integrating/implementing inclusive pedagogies.
Professional affiliations (e.g., USA829, USITT, regional, national, or international associations, etc.).
Centering creative engagement at the crossroads of theatre, dance, and social justice, the department is committed to cultivating multiple perspectives, eliminating barriers to participation in the field, and, consequently, creating inclusive spaces and finding strength in our diversity. The successful candidate will not only share these values but will collaborate effectively with colleagues to build more inclusive and equitable theatre and dance through classes, rehearsals, and artistic processes.
Applicants should apply online at http://jobs.richmond.edu and submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter detailing their teaching philosophy and commitment to educating a diverse student body through inclusive pedagogies. In addition, please include copies of academic transcripts. Candidates for this position may be asked, at a later date, to provide the names and contact information for three references who will be asked to submit letters of recommendation. Review of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please contact Professor White, Chair, mwhite5@richmond.edu, with any questions. For more information on the department and its programs, please visit https://theatredance.richmond.edu/.
The starting salary for the position is budgeted at $31,250. Compensation is determined by the candidate’s individual qualifications, experience, education, and skills.
The University of Richmond is a private university located just a short drive from downtown Richmond, Virginia. Through its five schools and wide array of campus programming, the University combines the best qualities of a small liberal arts college and a large university. With approximately 4,000 students, an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, and more than 90% of traditional undergraduate students living on campus, the University is remarkably student-centered.
The mission of the University of Richmond is to educate in an academically challenging, intellectually vibrant, and collaborative community dedicated to the holistic development of students and the production of scholarly and creative work. A Richmond education prepares students for lives of purpose, thoughtful inquiry, and responsible leadership in a diverse world. The University of Richmond’s strategic priorities are academic excellence, belonging and community, access and affordability, well-being, and experiential learning and community engagement. The University seeks to model a relentlessly welcoming and inclusive campus community that values the expression of difference in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development, and institutional success. Our academic community strongly encourages applications that are in keeping with this commitment.