Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts and Technical Director

Job Description

Job Description

Gardner-Webb University (GWU) offers a vibrant academic environment. The close-knit, and vibrant Boiling Springs, NC extends the feeling of family from campus to the community. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, our hometown gives you the freedom to focus on teaching, scholarship, and service, with easy access to big-city benefits in nearby Charlotte, NC, Asheville, NC, and the Greenville-Spartanburg, SC region. Gardner-Webb University (gardner-webb.edu) is a coeducational, residential, private, historically Baptist, Christian institution. The University offers 80+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs to approximately 3,000 students. GWU is a Carnegie-classified Doctoral/Professional University. In 2023, Gardner-Webb was home to students from 93 counties in North Carolina, 44 US states, and 43 foreign countries. GWU is a NCAA Division I institution with 22 athletic teams and 460 student-athletes.

Gardner-Webb University ( invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor/Technical Director to begin Fall 2026.

We seek a dynamic and experienced professional with a degree in Technical Theatre/Design, having experience teaching and working in traditional theatre venues. The candidate will oversee the scene shop, fly rail, and lighting in our 550-seat proscenium theatre, and manage the smaller theatre on campus, as well as teach courses in design/tech and other theatre courses such as Theatre Survey. The candidate should be able to work with college students on class projects and other assignments, as well as oversee their work on design elements of university productions. The candidate should also be equipped to recruit students into the program and the university.

Theatre Technical Director Responsibilities:

Technical Director-specific Duties:

• Support productions in the Theatre Arts season, including set construction, electrics, hang/focus of lighting and so on
• Serve as the production manager for each production
• Run production meetings
• Serve as the production Technical Director overseeing crew work and deadlines
• Setup for other events, such as Festival of Lights, NCTC High School Play Festival, etc.

Facility Manager-specific Duties:

• Maintain and oversee the scene and paint shops
• Maintain safety/OSHA standards
• Maintain tools
• Maintain set pieces and props
• Maintain paint, brushes, and other painting implements
• Upkeep of Dover Theatre and Millennium Playhouse:
• Reporting problems, i.e. leaks, needed repairs, etc.
• Keeping up with results of maintenance inspections
• Rigging (Dover Theatre)
• Upkeep of the electrical systems: Lighting console and Lighting instruments
• Setup and strike for Theatre, Music, and University events, rehearsals, etc.

Faculty Responsibilities:

• Teach design and technology courses.
• Teach other courses as assigned, such as Theatre Survey or Applied Theatre.
• Support campus productions as Technical Director with potential opportunities to design, based on expertise and experience.
• Recruit for the university on and off campus.
• Other faculty tasks as assigned.

Essential Requirements: Experience, Knowledge and Skills:

• A minimum of a Masters degree in Theatre design or related field.
• Experience building theatre sets and working with the tools used in construction.
• Experience working with a fly rail.
• Experience working with theatre lighting, including hanging/focusing and programming lighting consoles.
• Evidence of working with students in a safe and friendly environment.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to Christian Higher Education and the university’s faith-based learning environment.
• Must be comfortable working on and operating ladders and lifts
• Must be able to lift heavy loads
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Application Materials include the following documents:

1. Letter of Interest that addresses candidate’s qualifications for the position
2. Updated Curriculum Vita/Resume
3. Contact information for three (3) references

Salary is commensurate with experience. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.