Job Description

Scenery and Lighting Designer/ Fabrication Manager - Performing Arts at Iowa

The Performing Arts at Iowa seeks a Theatrical Designer with expertise in scenic and lighting design. This is a full-time 12-month, staff position serving as a resident designer for the Performing Arts at Iowa inclusive of the Department of Dance, School of Music Opera, and Department of Theatre Arts. This position does require evening and weekend work in support of technical and dress rehearsals.

The Performing Arts at Iowa produces two Dance mainstage productions, 2 Opera productions, 5 Theatre mainstage productions, up to 10 dance concerts, and up to 20 theatre galleries and workshops annually. Resident designer would be responsible for up to 5 realized scenic designs and up to 5 lighting designs for mainstage productions per academic year, along with providing design support for special projects and select events, as determined by the Production Director, in collaboration with the designer and production calendar. The scenic and lighting designer will primarily work with the Department of Dance and School of Music Opera along with working across departments with guest and student designers.

The Scenery and Lighting Designer is responsible for facilitating effective, healthy, and productive production environments in collaboration with the artists, faculty, staff, and students. Successful candidates will be committed to sharing the design process with graduate and undergraduate students creating a welcoming, respectful, and collaborative work environment.

This position will report to the Production Director and work within the Performing Arts at Iowa ensuring successful execution of each production season. This is a twelve-month full-time position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide clear, timely communication of design work including initial research and concept ideas, preliminary sketches, final renderings and drafting, props list, light plots, or other design-area specific paperwork.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, technologies, and materials to innovate and enhance event designs.
• Collaborates closely with Production staff during the design, build, and performance process to assure creative, budget, and production deadline expectations are met.

For a full job description or questions about this position, please send an email to [email protected].

Education Required:

• BS/BA/BFA degree with a concentration in design for theatre, dance, and/or opera or equivalent educational and professional experience as demonstrated via portfolio submission.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in a major university or professional production company.
• Detail oriented while demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated and an independent thinker who consistently meets deadlines, resolves conflicting priorities, and has outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creativity and skill in scenic design and fabrication.
• Proficiency in design software such as SketchUP and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Proficiency in production software such as AutoCAD and/or Vectorworks, and Lightwright.
• Familiarity with ETC lighting consoles.

Desired Qualifications:

• MFA in Theatrical Design or terminal degree in a related area.
• Experience mentoring students.
• Experience with student performers and/or crews in an academic shop or production environment.
• Experience with Digital Media Design.
• Member of United Scenic Artists 829.

Position and Application details:

For additional job details and to apply please visit and access requisition #24005952.

In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission .

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Design Portfolio - Please provide a document with a link to your portfolio or a file of portfolio.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be require d to self-disclose an y conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. Please note that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship in the United States.

For additional questions, please contact: kellie-kucera @uiowa.edu

Benefits Highlights

Regular salaried position. Pay Level 4A. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.
Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
For more information about Why Iowa? Click here.

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preferences.

About University of Iowa

With over 31,000 students, the University of Iowa is one of the nation's top public research universities, a member of the Big Ten conference and the Association of American Universities. The University of Iowa is composed of eleven colleges and is known around the world for its balanced commitment to the arts, sciences, and humanities. It is home to one of the nation's largest academic medical centers and the pioneering Iowa Writers' Workshop. The University of Iowa promotes work/life integration and is located in the casual yet cosmopolitan environment of Iowa City, widely recognized as one of the country's most livable communities.

Connections working at University of Iowa

Job Tags

Full time, Casual work, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,

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