Theatrical Design, Scenic

Note: Please include a portfolio of design work in the Additional Documents section of your application, or provide a link to your online portfolio in your application. If you are unable to submit the portfolio in this section, please email [email protected] for it to be sent to the Hiring Managers.

Serve as the resident and primary scenic designer for the Eisner Center for the Performing Arts by creating original scenic designs for up to six productions per academic year in the departments of theatre, music, and dance. Share the design process with undergraduates through teaching and hands-on realization. Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and guest artists to create scenic designs that range in style and approach. Mentor undergraduate students and teach one design course per semester in the theatre department.

Department/Division Overview:
The Michael D. Eisner Center, named after one of Denison’s proud alumni,  is the vibrant heartbeat of creative life at Denison University. Bringing the departments of Dance, Music, and Theatre under one spectacular 108,000-square-foot roof, the Center is specifically designed to champion interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and risk-taking. From our 400-seat Sharon Martin Hall to our intimate black box and recital spaces, we provide a dynamic environment where student curiosity meets professional-grade performance. We produce over 100 performances a year in five performance spaces, including four plays, two musicals, and three dance concerts, and a wide array of student music ensembles and guest artists.
 

Responsibilities:

• Provide clear, timely communication of design work including, initial research and concept ideas, preliminary sketches, final renderings, and technical drafting.

• Participate fully in the production process by initiating concept conversations with directors and the design team, attending production meetings, and adhering to deadlines established by the Production Manager. Attend technical and dress rehearsals and respond to rehearsal and production report requests in a timely manner.

• Ensure designs meet conceptual aims of the production through collaboration with directors, designers, and choreographers, and work closely with production staff to ensure adherence to resource limitations of time and budget.

• Work closely with the Eisner Center Technical Director-Production and student scene shop staff in the realization of the scenic design.

• Train and supervise scene shop staff in scenic painting techniques.

•  Collaborate with the technical staff to oversee the props and furniture stock and utilize student assistants for organization and inventory management.

• Supervise and train student stagehands in production-specific work during the technical rehearsal process.

• Teach one introductory design and production course per semester in the Department of Theatre, such as Elements of Scenic Design. 

• Mentor and advise directed studies, senior projects, and design assistants. 

• Participate with faculty in theatre department curricular and season planning.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree of Arts

• Demonstrated expertise in drafting and rendering utilizing both hand and CAD techniques

• Demonstrated scenic painting skills

• Demonstrated scenic design work in professional or educational setting (via portfolio)

Preferred Requirements:

• Master of Fine Arts or terminal degree in related area or extensive professional design and teaching experience

• Experience teaching and/or mentoring at the undergraduate level

• A secondary area of expertise such as projection design, lighting design, or production management.

Why Choose Denison?
Denison University is a leading, fully residential liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio, located  just outside the Columbus metro area. Established in 1831, Denison blends a rigorous academic foundation with an award-winning approach to student mentorship and career readiness. With a vibrant campus community of 2,400 students and around 2,000 employees, Denison offers employees a supportive, forward-thinking environment dedicated to educational excellence and professional growth. 

Denison provides a number of staff-focused benefits, with some highlights:

• 10% contribution to your retirement

• 22 vacation days

• 3 floating holidays

• Paid campus closure from Christmas to New Years

• Free parking and gym membership

• Free classes for employees

• Full tuition coverage for dependents

Want to learn more about us? Visit Denison.edu for more information.
 

Salary: Up to $62,000