WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

Department: School of Performing Arts

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Work Schedule: Varied depending upon class, rehearsal, and production schedule; work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

The School of Performing Arts is a comprehensive school offering BFA and BA degrees in Performing Arts with concentrations in Acting, Dance, Design and Technical Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Theatre. Grounded in a shared core curriculum, the school emphasizes collaboration across disciplines and extensive applied learning opportunities. A hallmark of the School of Performing Arts is its commitment to undergraduate leadership through production curriculum, with students actively designing, performing, managing, and producing work across a diverse range of artistic projects.

To enhance and broaden students’ knowledge and career preparation, the School of Performing Arts offers several certificates, including Directing, Stage Management, Voice Acting, Choreography, and Commercial Dance. Students may also pursue interdisciplinary minors such as Dance, Dance Education, Dance and Psychology, Drama and Psychology, Theatre, Musical Theatre, Performing Arts and Business, and Performing Arts Marketing. Many of these programs and courses are developed in collaboration with the School of Digital Arts, the School of Music, the Honors College, and the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, reinforcing an interdisciplinary approach and expanding opportunities for students to engage across fields and build versatile, career-ready skill sets. Learn more at www.wichita.edu/spa

The School of Performing Arts in the College of Fine Arts invites applications for a full-time (9 month), non-tenure track position in Lighting, Sound, and Projection to begin August 2027 with the university.

We seek an experienced and dynamic educator, mentor, designer, and artistic leader who will play a central role in shaping the future of design and production within a highly collaborative interdisciplinary performing arts environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to develop sound and projection curriculum, mentor emerging designers, foster undergraduate creative leadership, and contribute to a vibrant production culture.

Because production is central to the school's applied curriculum and mission, this position serves as both an artistic and educational leader. Rather than functioning primarily as a production designer, the successful candidate will mentor and guide student designers in lighting, sound, and projection across theatre, musical theatre, dance, film, and interdisciplinary projects.

Through coaching, artistic supervision, and collaborative project development, they will help students translate classroom learning into meaningful creative practice while building professional portfolios and leadership skills.


The Wichita State Advantage
Located in Wichita, Kansas, the School of Performing Arts offers faculty the opportunity to work within a close-knit and highly collaborative artistic community where professionals and alumni actively lead area theatres, dance studios, and arts organizations. These relationships create meaningful partnerships that support student internships, applied learning, and community-engaged work, while also providing faculty with strong professional networks beyond the university.

Wichita offers an affordable quality of life paired with a community of scholars, creators, and professionals. Employees can build meaningful connections with colleagues while enjoying a cost of living that supports personal and professional well-being. Together, these qualities create an environment where people can thrive and feel connected.

The city features a growing and vibrant arts ecosystem, including regional theatres, dance companies, music venues, film and media initiatives, and a nationally recognized downtown arts district. Faculty benefit from access to local cultural institutions, galleries, public art, and festivals, as well as a central location that offers convenient travel options. This combination of affordability, accessibility, and an engaged creative community make Wichita an appealing place to live, work, and build a meaningful career in the performing arts. Learn more: www.choosewichita.com

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for teaching and service, as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties

Core Responsibilities
Develop and teach lighting technology and design courses while helping expand curricular opportunities in sound design, projection design, and emerging media practices.

Teaching responsibilities include designing curriculum and instructional materials, delivering high-quality instruction in various modalities (in-person, online, or hybrid), and assessing student learning. Through classroom instruction, advising, and production mentorship, they will help students develop the artistic, technical, and collaborative skills necessary for successful careers in the performing arts.

Lighting and sound are foundational elements of every production season and support all performance venues and degree programs. In addition to teaching responsibilities, the faculty member will engage in significant service through leadership in lighting and electrical safety and supervise student interns in a lighting shop and production environments.

Required Education and Experience:

• Graduate level degree or Equivalent Experience in the Field
• Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

• Evidence of achievement in lighting design.
• Evidence of achievement in sound design.
• Evidence of experience in projection design.
• Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate courses in lighting and sound design.
• Demonstrated ability to use and teach industry standard software such as Vectorworks, Dante, Lightwright, QLab, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to use and teach industry standard hardware to include ETC Family Lighting Consoles.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and apply current industry standards and best practices related to audio production, including the legal and ethical use of sound libraries, licensed music, copyrighted materials, intellectual property, and digital media assets.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiar with production in a variety of settings such as a proscenium theatre, black box theatre, site specific locations and film.
• Ability to provide instruction curriculum to a variety of learners.
• Commitment to collaborative processes and environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MFA in Theatre/Design and Technical Theatre with a focus in lighting and sound design;
• OR BA/BFA in Theatre/Design and Technical Theatre with commensurate professional experience in lighting and sound design.
• Professional experience as a lighting and sound designer.
• Three years’ teaching experience at full-time or equivalent course load in higher education.
• Evidence of achievement in projection/media design.
• Experience supervising student interns/employees.
• Ability to teach theatre courses beyond lighting and sound technology.

Additional Information:

WSU is not able to provide immigration sponsorship for this position.

REQUIRED MATERIALS
1. Cover Letter/Letter of application addressing how the candidate’s qualifications and experience align with the position.

2. Teaching Statement: A statement (1-2 pages) describing teaching approach/philosophy and experience (including course topics the candidate can teach, mentoring experience, and any evidence of teaching effectiveness).

3. Digital Portfolio: File or link to file(s) or website of professional digital work

4. Optional Materials: Any additional materials the candidate would like to share such as sample publications, teaching evaluations, reviews, etc.

Priority deadline for applications is 10/16/26. The appointment for the position is August 2027.

For more information contact: Professor Amy Baker Schwiethale, Chair - Assistant Teaching Professor/Educator of Performing Arts – Lighting, Sound & Projection, Email: amy.baker@wichita.edu

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position – Frequent 60-90%; Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators – Frequent 60-90%

Additional Physical Requirement:

Requires the ability to safely hang, focus, install, and maintain lighting, sound, and projection equipment. Must be able to climb ladders, work at heights, and lift up to 50 pounds.