The Millikin University School of Theatre and Dance is accepting applications for a full-time tenure-track position in Scenic Design to begin in August 2026. Millikin is a small, private, comprehensive university of approximately 1800 students located in Decatur, Illinois. The nationally recognized School of Theatre and Dance is a vibrant and highly visible component of the campus community serving 160 students in five degree programs including a BA in Theatre and Performance Studies and BFAs in Acting, Design and Production, Musical Theatre, and Stage Management. The school is housed in a new $29 million facility, the Center for Theatre and Dance, which opened in 2020.
Responsibilities include:
- Serve as Coordinator of Design & Production: organize weekly meetings of D&P faculty and staff, interview prospective students, facilitate D&P Cornerstone and Capstone projects, etc
- Teach courses in elements and principles of design, drawing/rendering, scenic design, properties design, history of décor and scenic painting
- Design 1-2 mainstage productions per semester
- Supervise, maintain, and organize stock and equipment in prop shop
- Coordinate and supervise paint calls
- Supervise and mentor student designers and technicians working in scenic and properties design & fabrication
- Attend School of Theatre & Dance, College of Fine Arts, and full faculty meetings
- University and School of Theatre & Dance service
- Advise undergraduate students through curriculum and mentorship
Required qualifications:
- MFA in Scenic Design, Theatre Design, or related field
- University-level teaching experience
- Demonstrated collaborative design and technical experience in university productions, professional theatre, and/or relevant entertainment venues
- Demonstrated scenic painting skills
- Demonstrated experience with current drawing, rendering, and drafting practices and software, including but not limited to: Hand drafting, traditional drawing & painting, Vectorworks, Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, AutoCAD, and SketchUp
- Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office communication tools such as Teams, Sharepoint, and Outlook
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience teaching diverse student populations
- Experience in projection design
- Experience in other fields of theatre design and technology
- USITT, USA 829, and/or IATSE membership(s)
- Teaching and collaborative practices related to Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility
Application Materials:
- Letter of Application
- Current Curriculum Vitae
- Teaching Philosophy including a statement on Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility
- 3 Professional References
- Design Portfolio or Website
Application Deadline:
Review of applicants will begin March 4th, 2026 and will continue until filled.
Employment and first day of work is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Millikin University is an equal opportunity employer and candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups in this field are encouraged to apply. Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Millikin University is committed to increasing employee diversity and will consider qualified applicants with experience in diverse settings, who have a record of research that supports/benefits diverse communities or a record of teaching a diverse student population. Millikin offers a competitive salary and full benefit package, including eligibility for tuition waiver. To view Millikin’s benefits, please go to https://millikin.edu/about/administration/human-resources/benefits.