Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Theatre

If you are a current Barnard College employee, please use the internal career site to apply for this position.

Job:

Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Theatre

The Department of Theatre at Barnard College seeks a full-time Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in design: a working theatre designer with expertise in design and in the pedagogy of design teaching, to start July 1, 2027. Applicants are expected to hold the appropriate terminal degree (MFA) in design and possess an exciting portfolio of design work in theatre. Competitive candidates will have a record of professional productions and be competent in two design areas. We have a particular need for scenic design, and a strong interest in candidates with expertise in costume, lighting, or sound design as well as interest in video and projection design, props design, or puppetry. Competitive applicants are likely to have a demonstrated interest and facility with sustainable theatre practices. The candidate would be expected to contribute to service at the departmental and eventually college-wide level. PoPP appointments require ongoing artistic work for retention and promotion. The successful candidate must develop, sustain, and advance a nationally-visible artistic trajectory throughout their appointment.

Job Description:

The Department of Theatre at Barnard College, Columbia University, seeks a full-time Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in design -- a working theatre designer with expertise in design and in the pedagogy of design teaching -- to start July 1, 2027. Applicants are expected to hold the appropriate terminal degree (MFA) in design and possess an exciting portfolio of design work in theatre.  In addition to an MFA, applicants might also hold the Ph.D. and so be qualified to teach more traditionally research-oriented courses, e.g. history of scenic design, critical history of fashion and costume design.

Competitive candidates will have a record of professional productions and be competent in two design areas.  We have a particular need for scenic design, and a strong interest in candidates with expertise in costume, lighting, or sound design as well as interest in video and projection design, props design, or puppetry.  Competitive applicants are likely to have a demonstrated interest and facility with sustainable theatre practices.

As a full time reviewed and renewable position, we expect the successful candidate to participate fully in the life of a dynamic Theatre department that places equal weight on lecture/seminar courses and practicum courses. The candidate would be expected to contribute to service at the departmental and eventually college-wide level. Assistant Professor of Professional Practice appointments require—in analogy to tenure-track faculty—ongoing artistic work for retention and promotion. The successful candidate must develop, sustain, and advance a nationally-visible artistic trajectory during the first seven years of appointment (to be considered for promotion) and beyond.

The Department of Theatre at Barnard College offers the undergraduate Theatre major to all Barnard College, Columbia College, and Columbia School of General Studies students. The teaching load is four courses per year, with accompanying undergraduate advising, service on departmental committees, and service to the College. We expect the person hired into this position to design 1-2 main stage shows per year, co-advise the annual Thesis Festival, and take on the oversight and mentoring of the senior thesis in design, in which 2-5 students per year design in one of four areas for a main stage production, in collaboration with a professional director and design team. 

Salary: $95,000 - $115,000

Review of applications will begin on approximately November 10, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

For questions or further information please contact theatredesignsearch@barnard.edu.

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements:

Required Qualifications

MFA in Theatre design
3-5 years professional work
Competency in teaching 2 design areas

Application Requirements

Only complete applications submitted via Workday will be considered. 

Applicants are required to upload the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae  (maximum file size: 5 MB)

A single PDF file (maximum file size: 30 MB) containing:

• Cover letter summarizing interest in, and preparation for, this particular position

• Teaching and mentoring statement describing your teaching philosophy

• Digital design portfolio, maximum 40 pages

Applicants will be prompted to provide the name and contact information for at least three references upon submitting their application. These references will be contacted immediately to provide confidential letters of recommendation that will be included with the candidate's application materials.

Barnard is a premier liberal arts undergraduate college for women in New York City affiliated with Columbia University. Barnard College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate due to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, age, disability, or any other legally protected basis. Qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Company:

Barnard College

Time Type:

Full time