Assistant Professor of Teaching in Stage Management

Assistant Professor of Teaching in Stage Management

University of California, Irvine

Claire Trevor School of the Arts | Department of Drama

The Opportunity

The Department of Drama at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor of Teaching in Stage Management (and/or Entertainment Management). We seek a stage management or entertainment management educator and practitioner who will help shape the department's future and advance the excellence, reach, and national recognition of its Stage Management program. The successful candidate will bring current professional knowledge, a thoughtful approach to teaching, and the ability to turn developments in live performance into meaningful opportunities for students. This work aligns with the department's vision of cultivating critically engaged artists through new theatrical work and emergent forms, grounding in the established repertoire, and collaboration across Claire Trevor School of the Arts (UCI Arts), UCI, the region, and the nation.

Undergraduate and graduate education are equally important to this appointment. We seek a colleague who values introducing students to stage management as deeply as mentoring experienced graduate students toward collaborative leadership. In partnership with the Head of Stage Management, faculty, staff, and guest artists, this individual will strengthen the relationship between classroom learning, production practice, and students' professional lives.

Stage management expertise is central to the position. We also welcome a complementary strength in production management, producing, directing, themed entertainment, design, and/or other related areas. This additional expertise is preferred, rather than required, and may inform new courses, curriculum, collaborative projects, or other contributions aligned with departmental needs and the candidate's strengths.

The Program

UCI currently has a growing undergraduate population of theatre makers in all areas, including stage management, and offers a three-year M.F.A. in Stage Management. In the undergraduate stage management framework, students take an introductory course (which will have its content paired with another design area in future quarters) and may take classes in advanced topics, production participation, some graduate-level opportunities, and Honors in Stage Management. The graduate stage managers' course of study combines rotating advanced coursework, mentored production assignments, professional internship experience, and a culminating thesis project. In addition, graduate students are given Academic Student Employee Teaching Assistantships, supervised by faculty. Students serve as stage managers or assistant stage managers on all UCI productions, though this position may include serving as a stage manager on a production if needed, mentoring a student stage management team. These pathways connect students with opportunities to develop across theatre, musical theatre, dance, concerts, opera, themed entertainment, and special events.

Teaching and Workload

The assigned teaching load is seven formal courses per academic year, distributed across fall, winter, and spring quarters, generally two or three courses per quarter. Production mentorship, advising, and university service are additional responsibilities. Instruction and mentorship are primarily conducted in person on the Irvine campus; production mentoring includes some evening and weekend commitments.

Teaching is the primary responsibility and principal criterion for advancement in the Professor of Teaching series. The appointment also requires professional and/or scholarly achievement, including creative activity, and university and public service. Professional activity should sustain current expertise and contribute to the discipline and/or its teaching at a scope appropriate to this teaching-focused appointment.

Responsibilities

* Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in stage management and related areas, with clear learning outcomes, engaging instruction, useful feedback, and fair assessment. Potential course assignments include Drama 50E/K Introduction to Stage Management; Drama 81: Laboratory for Creative Collaboration; Drama 254 Graduate Stage Management (with variable topics), and other courses matched to departmental needs and expertise.

* Mentor undergraduate and graduate stage managers throughout preparation, rehearsal, technical rehearsals, performances, and reflection. Support production projects and thesis work, and help students develop independent judgment, artistic collaboration, and professional accountability.

* Teach the practical and interpersonal dimensions of the art of stage management, including documentation, rehearsal and performance systems, cueing, communication, team leadership, conflict resolution, labor agreements, and professional ethics.

* Advance curriculum and production learning with attention to changing technologies, digital workflows, access, consent-based practices, safety, and sustainable work practices. Help students evaluate new tools critically and adapt practices to different production contexts.

* Collaborate on program development, student recruitment and admissions, advising, and assessment. Help build professional partnerships, guest artist opportunities, internship pathways, and alumni connections that strengthen student preparation and the program's national visibility.

* Work constructively with faculty, staff, students, and guest artists on production processes and shared departmental priorities. Contribute complementary expertise through teaching or creative projects as appropriate to an agreed scope of responsibilities, including interdisciplinary collaborations that help students develop work and connect it with audiences beyond UCI.

* Maintain a continuing record of professional, scholarly, and/or creative achievement with evidence of quality, impact, and external recognition. Possibilities include professional stage management or related creative work; publications; conference presentations; pedagogical inquiry; or development and dissemination of stage management methods and resources.

* Participate in departmental, school, university, and professional service; maintain accessible student support, timely grading, and effective course communication; and contribute to a respectful learning and working environment.

Required Qualifications

* An M.F.A. in Stage Management, Theatre, Drama, or a related field, or commensurate professional experience demonstrating equivalent preparation for this faculty appointment.

* A substantial record of professional stage management or entertainment management experience demonstrating command of contemporary rehearsal, technical, and performance practices, as well as collaborative leadership.

* Evidence of effective teaching sustained educational or professional mentorship, with the ability to teach and mentor both undergraduate and graduate students.

* Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students/collaborators from varied backgrounds and experience levels, using accessible instruction and respectful, consent-based practices.

* Evidence of professional, scholarly, and/or creative achievement and a credible plan for continued activity appropriate to the Professor of Teaching series.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include college teaching experience; experience across multiple production genres or entertainment settings; a complementary area of expertise; curriculum or program development; and professional relationships that can support student learning and career development. Knowledge of and/or membership in Actors' Equity Association and other relevant labor or professional organizations is valuable. Applicants are encouraged to apply even without every preferred qualification.

Application Materials

Apply through UCI AP Recruit.

* Cover letter describing professional preparation, commitment to undergraduate and graduate education, and an approach to advancing UCI's Stage Management program. Applicants with a complementary specialty explain how it could further contribute to Drama's teaching or creative work.

* Current curriculum vitae and professional stage management resume, which may be combined.

* A concise portfolio or selected work samples with explanations of the applicant's role. Samples may include production documentation, teaching resources, publications, or links to professional work. Applicants should redact confidential or identifying information and provide only materials they are authorized to share.

* Teaching and mentorship statement of approximately two pages, addressing course design, production-based learning, assessment, and support for students with varied preparation and learning needs.

* Professional and creative activity statement of one to two pages, outlining current work and a feasible plan for continuing contributions to the field and/or pedagogy.

* Selected evidence of teaching or mentorship effectiveness, such as a syllabus, assignment with assessment criteria, peer observation, teaching evaluations, or documented mentorship outcomes.

* Letters of recommendation from a minimum of three professional references who can address teaching or mentorship, stage management practice, and collaboration.

Appointment Details

Questions about the position may be directed to the Department of Drama at drama@uci.edu. Program information is available at Stage Management | UCI Arts.

An M.F.A. in Stage Management, Theatre, Drama, or a related field, or commensurate professional experience demonstrating equivalent preparation for this faculty appointment.

• 3-5 letters of reference required

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• 
  APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.
  
  

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.