Practitioner-in-Residence - Theatre/ Lighting Technologies

Columbia College Chicago actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion as vitally important to its present and future success. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. 

The Theatre Department of Columbia College Chicago seeks applicants for a Practitioner-in-Residence position in Lighting Technologies beginning the spring 2024 semester, with possibility of renewal for the next academic year. 

The successful candidate will have significant professional theatre experience in lighting technology and/or lighting supervision/production electrics in theatre. The candidate will also have the scholarly background to instruct students in best practices regarding lighting for live performance. They will have expertise in a variety of equipment, including EOS family consoles, moving lights, and LEDs, and the software currently in use. Familiarity with the GrandMA 3 console is a plus.  

The incumbent will teach three courses per semester in lighting technology and receive one course release per semester to perform significant service to the department as the Lighting Supervisor for the Theatre Department's productions, including Main Stage productions, student projects, and various solo evening events, and mentorship of students in rehearsals and one-on-one meetings. 

Effective teaching and student mentorship in the context of a diverse student body is a vital aspect of this position. This faculty member will attend technical rehearsals on evenings and weekends; student production meetings, responding to production needs as they arise, working with student and faculty stakeholders to ensure timely progress; and perform other duties as assigned. 

In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates must exhibit excellent teaching and scholarly credentials and be passionate about undergraduate education.  

The Theatre Department at Columbia College Chicago houses majors in Acting (BA and BFA), Musical Theatre (BA and BFA), Comedy Writing and Performance, Design and Technology, and concentrations in Directing, Playwriting, Stage Management and Theatre Studies. At the graduate level, we offer an MFA/MA in devising contemporary performance and a graduate certificate in Intimacy for Stage and Screen. With over 700 students, the Theatre Department's mission is to provide undergraduate students with a comprehensive education in the practices and processes of creating theatre and live performance. In addition to its majors, the department offers minors in Acting, Stage Combat, Theatre Directing, Playwriting, and Devising for Collaborative Performance. The department works actively to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion as vitally important to the making of theatre and the educational experiences of its students and seeks to root out discrimination of all kinds in classes and productions. 

The School of Fine and Performing Arts (SFPA) houses academic programs in visual arts, performing arts, business, and marketing. Home to more than 110 full-time faculty and nearly 3,500 students, the SFPA community is deeply committed to rigorous exploration of a wide range of artistic practices and economies, with strong focus on a diversity of contemporary styles and current industry trends. Across SFPA, we challenge the next generation of artists, scholars, managers, performers, designers, makers, and entrepreneurs to master the skills and interrogate the foundations of their creative disciplines; imagine new futures; and contribute to the vibrant arts communities of Chicago and beyond.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach at the undergraduate and, as appropriate, at the graduate level in areas assigned by the Department Chair.
• Mentor student production electricians for Main Stage productions, student directing projects, and other productions, as assigned by the Department Chair and Design and Tech Coordinator.
• Supervise the student Electrics-crew and practicum students in lighting in the Electrics Shop and in the theatres.
• Purchase and upkeep of the Electrics equipment for all production and classroom needs.
• Contribute to the development, planning and implementation of a high-quality curriculum in the department.
• Engage with the broader scholarly and professional communities.
• Provide service to the college, profession, and community.
• Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies.
• Supervise, advise and mentor students.
• Commit to continuing professional development. 

We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly and/or professional work aligns with our commitment to dismantling systems of privilege and oppression. All faculty members are expected to advance the College's DEI mission. For more information on the office of Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion please visit: colum.edu/diversity.

Desired Qualifications

• MFA in the field of Lighting for Performance or related theatre field. Candidates with a post-secondary degree and significant professional experience at the highest level may also be considered.
• Significant professional experience as a practitioner in lighting technology for performance.
• Undergraduate teaching experience. 

Application
To apply for this position, submit the following materials online:

• A letter of application outlining the applicant's background, qualifications 
• A curriculum vitae.
• Contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior consultation with the applicant.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college. 

About the College

Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit college for creatives serving nearly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Located in downtown Chicago's South Loop, the College is centered in one of the world's liveliest urban cultural areas. Its many competitive advantages include its strong reputation in the creative industries, outstanding faculty and passionate students, impressive technological and physical resources, and a sincere commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences into proximity with each other to shape new forms of creative practice. 

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. 

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to a background screening.
• This is a non-union position.
• This position is overtime exempt. 

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.