Scenery and Lighting Designer - Performing Arts at Iowa

Scenery and Lighting Designer - Performing Arts at Iowa

The Performing Arts at Iowa seeks a Production Designer with expertise in scenic and lighting design. This is a full-time 12-month, staff position serving as a resident designer for the Performing Arts at Iowa inclusive of the Department of Dance, School of Music Opera, and Department of Theatre Arts. This position does require evening and weekend work in support of technical and dress rehearsals.

The Performing Arts at Iowa produces two Dance mainstage productions, 2 Opera productions, 5 Theatre mainstage productions, up to 10 dance concerts, and up to 20 theatre galleries and workshops annually. The resident designer would be responsible for up to 4 realized scenic designs and up to 5 lighting designs for mainstage productions per academic year, along with providing design support for special projects and select events, as determined by the Production Director, in collaboration with the designer and production calendar.

The scenic and lighting designer will primarily work with the Department of Dance and School of Music Opera along with collaborating across departments with guest and student designers.

The Scenery and Lighting Designer is responsible for facilitating effective, healthy, and productive production environments in collaboration with the artists, faculty, staff, and students. Successful candidates will be committed to sharing the design process with graduate and undergraduate students creating a welcoming, respectful, and collaborative work environment.

This position will report to the Production Director and work within the Performing Arts at Iowa ensuring successful execution of each production season. This is a twelve-month full-time position.

• Provide clear, timely communication of design work including, initial research and concept ideas, preliminary sketches, final renderings and drafting, props list, light plots, or other design-area specific paperwork.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, technologies, and materials to innovate and enhance event designs.
• Collaborates closely with Production staff during the design, build, and performance process to assure creative, budget, and production deadline expectations are met.

For a full job description or questions about this position, please send an email to Kellie-Kucera.

• BS/BA/BFA degree with a concentration in design for theatre, dance, and/or opera or equivalent educational and professional experience as demonstrated via portfolio submission.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a major university or professional production company.
• Detail oriented while demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated and an independent thinker who consistently meets deadlines, resolves conflicting priorities, and has outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creativity and skill in scenic design and fabrication.
• Proficiency in design software such as Sketch Up and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Proficiency in production software such as AutoCAD and/or Vectorworks, and Light wright.
• Familiarity with ETC lighting consoles.

• MFA in Theatrical Design or terminal degree in a related area.
• Experience mentoring students.
• Experience with student performers and/or crews in an academic shop or production environment.
• Experience with Digital Media Design.
• Member of United Scenic Artists 829.

For additional job details and to apply please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). and access requisition #.

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission.

• Resume

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.

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