Job description

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

]

How to apply

Apply now
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.

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, Teaching Philosophy, contact information of three professional references and Design Portfolio or Website to millikin.edu/employment. 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 .