Job description
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Assistant Professor of Teaching – Production Management at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
Located in the heart of Detroit’s Cultural Center, Wayne State University is seeking a full-time, Assistant Professor of Teaching in Production Management in the Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance.
The ideal candidate is, first, excited to come to Detroit. Wayne State University’s distinct characteristic is its Detroit location. Detroit’s diverse culture has had both local and international influence on the arts. The city was a hub of early 1900s vaudeville, a vibrant scene that contributed to America’s theatrical legacy, has been the birthplace of distinctly American musical forms, and continues to inspire contemporary performing arts. The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance has long played an integral part of performance in the city, and engaging with Detroit’s storied performance history is essential to appreciating the depth and significance of the arts in this vibrant community.
This position requires a candidate who deeply values pedagogy and recognizes its integral role in production decision-making. The successful individual will be dedicated to managing and coordinating department productions with an emphasis on fostering a collaborative, safe, and educational environment within a vibrant theatre and dance setting. The department views production as a vital lab space where pedagogy and production are intrinsically connected, serving as a training ground for future professional artists.
Core responsibilities include teaching courses in production and stage management, mentoring student stage managers, developing and maintaining detailed production calendars and schedules, overseeing venue utilization, and supervising shop heads and technical staff. The candidate will facilitate clear communication and effective coordination among design, dance, and theatre performance units to ensure that both production and pedagogical goals are met. They will oversee budgets and resource allocation, ensuring the implementation of industry-recognized best practices in safety and production standards. The ability to thoughtfully balance the needs of an active production season with pedagogy is essential.
This role demands an individual who can address challenges proactively, foster collaboration across disciplines, and support the department’s ongoing commitment to training innovative and safety conscious artists with deep seated industry standard competencies.
MAGGIE ALLESEE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE:
The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre & Dance serves as a creative incubator for the next generation of artists, thinkers and leaders in theatre, dance, and performance. While the department is grounded in praxis, it is committed to creating thinking artists who have strong foundations in theory, history, and performance studies.
The theatre and dance programs prepare students for professional careers as performing artists, choreographers, designer/technicians, directors, stage managers, administrators, and theorists within the urban, metropolitan context of Wayne State University. The Department of Theatre and Dance is committed to providing students the opportunity to develop within their disciplines through an extensive performance program that includes six departmental theatre productions, two student theatre productions, two major departmental dance productions, four student company dance productions, a student summer theatre company, and our community outreach performance companies that target the city and metropolitan area’s schools. It is the home of Michigan Shakespeare Festival during the summer and maintains professional relations with performing arts institutions and companies locally, regionally, and nationally. Degrees offered by the department are a BS in Dance, BFA in Dance, BA in Theatre, BFA in Theatre (with concentrations), MA in Theatre and Dance- Teaching Artistry, MA in Arts Administration, and BFA in Theatre (with concentrations); Minors are offered in Africana Theatre and Dance, General Dance, General Theatre, Musical Theatre, Studio and Community Dance, Theatre Design and Technology, and Theatre Management.
THE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY:
As a university, we value the many cultures of Detroit and beyond, demonstrating commitment through our policies and actions. Through our everyday activities and interactions, creative and scholarly practices, curricular design and teaching, and service and community engagement, we seek to create an inclusive institutional atmosphere that recognizes and celebrates the inherent value of a diverse campus community.
We are a university of access and opportunity, and we have a responsibility to demonstrate a commitment to our mission of providing access to an excellent and affordable college education. We are here to make our students’ lives and futures better. Financial aid avenues that help support this commitment are the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Wayne State Guarantee (a tuitionfree program open to all Pell Grant-eligible Michigan residents, as well as most families who earn less than $70,000) for first time students, and Michigan Reconnect for transfer pathways. In addition, the Heart of Detroit award ensures any eligible Detroit-resident student graduating from a high school in the city will have a tuition-free path to a bachelor’s degree.
The Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance is one of four departments in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts; the other constituent units are the Department of Communication, the James Pearson Duffy Department of Art, Art History, and Design, and the Department of Music. The college offers 17 undergraduate programs, 10 graduate programs, and 3 graduate certificate programs. It is home to today’s aspiring artists, performers, scholars, dancers, debaters, entrepreneurs and communication professionals who all represent the college’s legacy of excellence in our respective fields.
From debate to dance, jazz to journalism, and fashion design to center stage, our students create captivating performances, inspire artistic and academic excellence, and conduct innovative research on behalf of our Detroit community. The college’s alumni include a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and winners of and nominees for the Grammy, Emmy, Tony, Golden Globe, Obie, Screen Actors Guild and Caldecott awards.
Wayne State University is a Carnegie Tier 1 Research (R1) university enrolling more than 24,000 students in 350 undergraduate and graduate programs offered through the University’s 13 schools and colleges. Wayne State’s immediate neighbors in our Midtown Cultural Center include the Detroit Public Library, Detroit Institute of Arts, Michigan Science Center, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Detroit Opera Theatre. The vibrant Midtown and Downtown areas are also home to active theatres, galleries, professional sports stadiums, and entertainment venues ranging from Detroit Artist Market and the Fox and Fisher Theatres.
Qualifications:
We are seeking a highly qualified professional with a strong background in theatre and dance production management. The successful candidate must hold a terminal degree (PhD or MFA). Candidates should have previous teaching experience and a proven ability to mentor students effectively. Preferred qualifications include familiarity with professional union practices and rules, such as AEA, IATSE, and USA, as well as exposure to various performing arts disciplines with a strong emphasis in dance and theatre. Demonstrated familiarity with theatrical technologies, including AutoCAD, VectorWorks, theatrical lighting and sound systems, and a commitment to safety, are highly valued. We seek individuals who are passionate about fostering inclusive and innovative learning environments, and who can bring a diverse range of experiences to support students’ growth and success in the arts.
How to apply
A letter of application, teaching philosophy statement, curriculum vitae, and a list of five references (including names, addresses and contract information) must be submitted through Wayne Talent at https://jobs.wayne.edu
The search committee will begin reviewing applications on January 16, 2026. Applications remain open until the position is filled. The position begins August 18, 2026; salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.
Inquiries about the position may be directed to:
Matt Taylor
Production Management
Maggie Allesee Department of Theatre & Dance
[email protected]
School/College/Division:
H04 – Fine & Performing Arts
Primary department:
H0405 – Theatre
Employment type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Academic/Faculty
Funding/salary information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
Working conditions:
This position must be filled pursuant to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement, and as such may be filled by a qualified bargaining unit member, should one apply.
Job openings:
- Number of openings: 1
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 12 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.
Wayne State University is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high quality education. Our deep rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities preparing students for success in a diverse, global society. WSU encourages applications from women, people of color, and other underrepresented people. Wayne State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
