Assistant Professor of Lighting Design

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

ID: 7287900 (Ref.No. BSU45464)
Posted: Recently posted
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

The Ball State University Department of Theatre and Dance invites applications for a tenure-line Lighting Design position beginning August of 2025. The Department seeks an individual with a commitment to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and entrepreneurial learning practices to work in our STEM accredited design and technology program. The successful candidate will be an accomplished artist, mentor, teacher, and pedagogue in the area of lighting design within a flourishing BFA/BA/BS program in design and technology.
Ball State’s design and technology option offers an innovative and “hands on” training curriculum consisting of rigorous and varied coursework, a strong foundation in immersive and experiential learning, and an emphasis on the synthesis between classroom curriculum and practical production opportunities. Specializations should include lighting design, lighting technology, and conceptual based courses. Preferred consideration will be given to any candidate who possesses expertise in an additional area of design; particularly in the area of projections.
Applicants should also be committed to inclusive pedagogies in their teaching, scholarship, and artistry.
Our dynamic faculty function as collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and adaptive members of the College of Fine Arts community, both within and beyond the home unit, serving as quality teachers, productive in creative and/or scholarly work, engaged in public service activities, and contributing to the Ball State and Muncie communities and beyond. Additionally, lifelong learning at Ball State University extends educational engagement beyond the classroom and includes learning for professional development, personal enrichment, or other goals throughout one’s lifetime. Faculty will be expected to participate in the department’s, college’s, and university’s lifelong learning opportunities when available and may be assigned teaching responsibility in this area as part of their overall responsibilities.
Duties and responsibilities include:
  • A teaching load that may include all levels of course work in lighting design, lighting technology, concept and style, stagecraft, collaboration, introduction to storytelling, introduction to theatre, and other related design courses at the undergraduate level;
  • Supervision and mentoring of student lighting designers in assigned productions;
  • A dedication and commitment to helping foster and cultivate overall student success;
  • Creation and execution of lighting designs for selected department productions;
  • Serving the Department as an accomplished artist and versatile technician so effective communication with Departmental colleagues can seamlessly take place;
  • Creating an active and tenure-worthy professional profile in the area of lighting design. This includes a balance of work in professional venues, scholarly activity, presentations at reputable theatre and dance conferences, and other related professional activities that benefit the candidate, University, Department, and students being served.
  • Fulfilling service obligations, including assigned committee work at the Department, College, and University level, on a national, regional, and local level.
  • Working in collaboration with theatre and dance faculty, staff, and students in facilitating the theatre and dance production program at Ball State University.

Salary and benefit packages for this position are competitive, with salaries for this opportunity beginning at $53,000 annually.

The Ball State University Department of Theatre and Dance invites applications for a tenure-line Lighting Design position beginning August of 2025.

Job Function:

The Ball State University Department of Theatre and Dance invites applications for a tenure-line Lighting Design position beginning August of 2025. The Department seeks an individual with a commitment to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and entrepreneurial learning practices to work in our STEM accredited design and technology program. The successful candidate will be an accomplished artist, mentor, teacher, and pedagogue in the area of lighting design within a flourishing BFA/BA/BS program in design and technology.
Ball State’s design and technology option offers an innovative and “hands on” training curriculum consisting of rigorous and varied coursework, a strong foundation in immersive and experiential learning, and an emphasis on the synthesis between classroom curriculum and practical production opportunities. Specializations should include lighting design, lighting technology, and conceptual based courses. Preferred consideration will be given to any candidate who possesses expertise in an additional area of design; particularly in the area of projections.
Applicants should also be committed to inclusive pedagogies in their teaching, scholarship, and artistry.
Our dynamic faculty function as collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and adaptive members of the College of Fine Arts community, both within and beyond the home unit, serving as quality teachers, productive in creative and/or scholarly work, engaged in public service activities, and contributing to the Ball State and Muncie communities and beyond. Additionally, lifelong learning at Ball State University extends educational engagement beyond the classroom and includes learning for professional development, personal enrichment, or other goals throughout one’s lifetime. Faculty will be expected to participate in the department’s, college’s, and university’s lifelong learning opportunities when available and may be assigned teaching responsibility in this area as part of their overall responsibilities.
Duties and responsibilities include:
  • A teaching load that may include all levels of course work in lighting design, lighting technology, concept and style, stagecraft, collaboration, introduction to storytelling, introduction to theatre, and other related design courses at the undergraduate level;
  • Supervision and mentoring of student lighting designers in assigned productions;
  • A dedication and commitment to helping foster and cultivate overall student success;
  • Creation and execution of lighting designs for selected department productions;
  • Serving the Department as an accomplished artist and versatile technician so effective communication with Departmental colleagues can seamlessly take place;
  • Creating an active and tenure-worthy professional profile in the area of lighting design. This includes a balance of work in professional venues, scholarly activity, presentations at reputable theatre and dance conferences, and other related professional activities that benefit the candidate, University, Department, and students being served.
  • Fulfilling service obligations, including assigned committee work at the Department, College, and University level, on a national, regional, and local level.
  • Working in collaboration with theatre and dance faculty, staff, and students in facilitating the theatre and dance production program at Ball State University.

Salary and benefit packages for this position are competitive, with salaries for this opportunity beginning at $53,000 annually.

Minimum Experience:

  • Master’s degree in theatre or related discipline completed by date of employment or equivalent professional experience.
  • At least one year of experience as a lighting designer in professional venues.
  • Computer competency in stage lighting applications.

Preferred Experience:

  • M.F.A. in Lighting Design or Lighting Technology.
  • 24 months (at least three academic years) of teaching experience at the university/college level.
  • Connections and recognitions within the areas of theatrical lighting design.
  • Expertise in the area of projections, sound, or an additional area of design.


At Ball State University, we recognize inclusive excellence as an integral endeavor to fulfill our University’s mission and our strategic plan. We recruit, support, and retain a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. We encourage and reward diversity of thought. We promote a work environment that encourages and rewards innovation and creativity. We pledge to keep Inclusive Excellence at the highest level of institutional importance and as a foundation in all that we strive to do. Our over-arching goal for Inclusive Excellence is to adopt a university-wide Inclusive Excellence approach to academic, administrative support, and service functions of the university. We believe Inclusive Excellence must be infused in every step we take.
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