Assistant Professor of Teaching - Production Management

Assistant Professor of Teaching - Production Management

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Assistant Professor of Teaching - Production Management at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Located in the heart of Detroit's Cultural Center, Wayne State University is seeking a full-time, Assistant Professor of Teaching in Production Management in the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance.

The ideal candidate is, first, excited to come to Detroit. Wayne State University's distinct characteristic is its Detroit location. Detroit's diverse culture has had both local and international influence on the arts. The city was a hub of early 1900s vaudeville, a vibrant scene that contributed to America's theatrical legacy, has been the birthplace of distinctly American musical forms, and continues to inspire contemporary performing arts.

The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance has long played an integral part of performance in the city, and engaging with Detroit's storied performance history is essential to appreciating the depth and significance of the arts in this vibrant community.

This position requires a candidate who deeply values pedagogy and recognizes its integral role in production decision-making. The successful individual will be dedicated to managing and coordinating department productions with an emphasis on fostering a collaborative, safe, and educational environment within a vibrant theatre and dance setting. The department views production as a vital lab space where pedagogy and production are intrinsically connected, serving as a training ground for future professional artists.

Core responsibilities include teaching courses in production and stage management, mentoring student stage managers, developing and maintaining detailed production calendars and schedules, overseeing venue utilization, and supervising shop heads and technical staff. The candidate will facilitate clear communication and effective coordination among design, dance, and theatre performance units to ensure that both production and pedagogical goals are met. They will oversee budgets and resource allocation, ensuring the implementation of industry-recognized best practices in safety and production standards.

The ability to thoughtfully balance the needs of an active production season with pedagogy is essential.

This role demands an individual who can address challenges proactively, foster collaboration across disciplines, and support the department's ongoing commitment to training innovative and safety conscious artists with deep seated industry standard competencies.

MAGGIE ALLESEE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE:

The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre & Dance serves as a creative incubator for the next generation of artists, thinkers and leaders in theatre, dance, and performance. While the department is grounded in praxis, it is committed to creating thinking artists who have strong foundations in theory, history, and performance studies.

The theatre and dance programs prepare students for professional careers as performing artists, choreographers, designer/technicians, directors, stage managers, administrators, and theorists within the urban, metropolitan context of Wayne State University. The Department of Theatre and Dance is committed to providing students the opportunity to develop within their disciplines through an extensive performance program that includes six departmental theatre productions, two student theatre productions, two major departmental dance productions, four student company dance productions, a student summer theatre company, and our community outreach performance companies that target the city and metropolitan area's schools.

It is the home of Michigan Shakespeare Festival during the summer and maintains professional relations with performing arts institutions and companies locally, regionally, and nationally. Degrees offered by the department are a BS in Dance, BFA in Dance, BA in Theatre, BFA in Theatre (with concentrations), MA in Theatre and Dance
- Teaching Artistry, MA in Arts Administration, and BFA in Theatre (with concentrations);
Minors are offered in Africana Theatre and Dance, General Dance, General Theatre, Musical Theatre, Studio and Community Dance, Theatre Design and Technology, and Theatre Management.

THE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY:

As a university, we value the many cultures of Detroit and beyond, demonstrating commitment through our policies and actions. Through our everyday activities and interactions, creative and scholarly practices, curricular design and teaching, and…