Job Details

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:

2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.

2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.

2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

This is a nine-month, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor. Expected begin work date is August 2025

The School of Stage and Screen at Western Carolina University is seeking candidates for an Assistant Professor of Scenic Design. Responsibilities include designing two MainStage productions per year, teaching Scenic Design, Properties Design, and Scenic painting among other design and technology, and general theatre courses as load and expertise allows. The candidate would mentor student designers, and student workers in properties and paints. This position teaches on a 3-3 load with releases for MainStage designs. Candidate should possess great communication and collaboration skills and demonstrate creativity in design as well as full and current knowledge of industry safety and best practices.

The School of Stage and Screen at WCU houses approximately 180 students across five degree tracks, and a dance minor. SAS offers a BFA in Theatre with concentrations in Musical Theatre, Acting for Stage and Screen, and Entertainment Design and Technology, a BA in Stage and Screen, and a BFA in Film and Television production. We house a robust experiential curriculum that centers the shared values of storytelling across all degree tracks. We value all voices, all stories, and all perspectives. Our MainStage season includes two musicals, two straight plays, a five episode web series, and a film festival featuring 10-15 of our student films produced every year. SAS is a highly resourced NAST accredited program. Our alumni and faculty can be found telling stories on screen and on the stage across the country.

Candidate should have a good foundation in Scenic Design art skills including drafting (Computer or hand), rendering (computer or hand), and a functional knowledge of scenic art and properties design. Candidate should be comfortable on their feet for many hours a day, working on ladders, and be able to lift 50 pounds.

MFA in Scenic Design or Theatre Production from an accredited institution with significant professional experience.

Three years of teaching at the University level. Experience in projection design, stage management, or other areas of theatrical design are a plus.

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned* and a list of three professional references with full contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Tory Depew at vdepew@email.wcu.edu

*All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state "Degree Awarded," "Degree Conferred," or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master's degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master's degree transcript must have a notation such as "Degree Awarded," "Degree Conferred," or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.