Lecturer - Lighting Designer

Job Family Group:

Faculty

Time Type:

Full time

Department/Office:

Human Communication and Theatre

Exemption Status:

Exempt

Job Description:

The Department of Human Communication and Theatre at Trinity University invites applications for a Lecturer/Lighting Designer position, beginning August 2027. The department seeks a collegial artist with the ability to collaborate with a production team, the desire to design in a variety of theatrical styles, and a commitment to instruction and production in an undergraduate liberal arts and sciences context. We are seeking a candidate with a commitment to excellence while working collegially with faculty colleagues and supportively with students. The candidate will have expertise as a lighting designer. Preference will be given to those candidates with secondary working knowledge in sound design and/or projection. The successful candidate will teach four courses per academic year in design and/or other relevant areas of theatre in our BA program. In addition, the successful candidate will design lighting for all Theatre productions (typically four per academic year). The candidate will also be responsible for the implementation and execution of designs, while training and supporting student workers. We are especially interested in candidates with experience mentoring undergraduate student designers.

 

BACKGROUND

Trinity University is a secular, independent, private institution, founded in 1869. Trinity offers high-quality science, liberal arts, and pre-professional programs as represented by the four schools (STEM, Arts & Humanities, Social Science and Civic Engagement, and Business) to approximately 2,500 undergraduate students from the U.S. and more than 45 countries. The attractive campus overlooks downtown San Antonio, a city rich in heritage and ethnic diversity. Additional information can be found on the Resource Guide to Trinity & San Antonio.

The Carlos Alvarez School of Arts and Humanities, endowed with a gift of $25 million, is at the center of Trinity's liberal arts education. Faculty are international leaders in their respective fields, creating engaged learning experiences grounded in careful study of tradition, critical thinking, clear communication, and creative expression.

Both the Department of Theatre and the University as a whole value and safeguard academic freedom for faculty members in their teaching and scholarship. Trinity is guided by a set of core values and is committed to implementing practices in pursuit of an inclusive campus for all students, faculty, and staff to feel welcomed and engaged in a community of learning.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach four courses per academic year in Design and/or other areas of theatre.
• Design Lighting (and Sound/Projection as applicable) for all Trinity Theatre productions, which rotate across classical, contemporary, and global forms. 
• Responsible for the execution and implementation of designs.
• Train and Supervise student workers during daily shop hours Mon-Fri 2:30-5:30.
• Advise lights/projections/sound for student Lab Show productions (typically 2 per semester) as needed.
• Seek out, develop, recruit, and mentor undergraduate design students.
• Manage and maintain lighting, sound, and projection equipment.
• Maintain and adhere to production budget in areas of lighting, sound, and projections.
• Integrate contemporary theatre professional design practice into student learning by sharing all phases of the design process, from research and concept development through realization. 
• Assist department chair with yearly Capital Equipment and Capital Improvement requests. Coordinate acquisition and installation of approved items in relevant design areas.
• Attend all department, theatre, and production meetings.
• Comply with all Trinity University policies and guidelines.
• Additional duties as assigned.

 

APPOINTMENT DETAILS

This is a three-year renewable full-time Lecturer of Lighting Design position beginning August 2027, with the possibility of promotion to Senior Lecturer. The salary will be competitive.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Required:

Terminal Degree in Theatre (MFA) or related area by the time of appointment. 

 

EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Experience teaching or serving as a teaching assistant in an academic environment
• Experience training and supervising student workers
• Evidence of experience in lighting design in a variety of theatrical styles

Preferred:

• Experience in projection and/or sound design
• Experience with QLab, Dante, Shure Workbench, Vectorworks, and Lightwright
  
   

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is completed in classroom, office, theater, and studio environments. 

Will work under pressure to meet office/project deadlines. 

Initial design conversations for Fall 2027 mainstage season will begin in Summer 2027. 

Must be able to move about freely. (ladders, lifts, scaffolding, cat walk)

Willingness to travel on behalf of Trinity University. 

Physical demands are moderate. Most lifting is less than 50 pounds.

Occasionally, the incumbent will be required to pick up or deliver information to an off-campus office.

ATTENDANCE

Train and Supervise student workers during daily shop hours Mon-Fri 2:30-5:30.

HOW TO APPLY

For internal applicants, please apply through Workday using the 'Jobs Hub' application, see instructions provided here.

For external applicants, when starting the application, select "Apply Manually.” Only complete fields with a red asterisk, which are required. Please create your Workday application account using a personal email address, as you will need to maintain access to this account throughout the pre-hire process, if selected. 

For all applicants, you do not need to complete the “(Work) Experience,” “Education,” “Certifications,” or “Languages” fields - these details will be provided in your curriculum vitae.

In the “Application Documents” field, please upload the following as seen below. 

File 1: CV

File 2: Cover letter 

File 3: List of three professional references (we will request recommendation letters for finalists)

File 4: Intentional inclusion statement - Intentional Inclusion is a core value at Trinity University. Please provide a brief (1-2 page) reflection on the ways that you might contribute to cultivating an environment where people feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. Provide examples of how that relates to your teaching, research/scholarship and other professional activities.

 

Candidates may be asked to submit a sample syllabus.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Andrew C. Hansen, Search Committee Chair, Department of Human Communication and Theatre, at ahansen1@trinity.edu

Please ensure that all required documents are uploaded prior to submitting an application. If you have revisions needed to an application already submitted or need help submitting an application, please contact Human Resources at 210-999-7507 or email humanresources@trinity.edu.