University of Iowa-PSM/Teaching Position

[RuthNY]

HALF TIME LECTURER IN STAGE MANAGEMENT AND HALF TIME PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
Organization:    UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Location:    Iowa City,  IA
Category:    Education
Job Type:    Full-Time,Part-Time
Salary Type & Rate:    Competitive
Posted Date:    December 28, 2011
Application Deadline:    February 1, 2012

The UNIVERSITY OF IOWA Theatre Arts Department seeks a half-time Lecturer in Stage Management and a Half-time Production Stage Manager. This 50% Lecturer in stage management position #60450 may be combined with position #60326 a 50% Production stage manager to create a 100% appointment. Qualified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for both positions. To be considered for both positions applicants must complete the full application process for each position number. Please review the complete job descriptions for required qualifications. The University of Iowa Theatre Arts Department has an outstanding MFA program in Stage Management. The lecturer position is a three year renewable appointment. Applications must be made online. For a complete job description and to apply for these positions go to http://jobs.uiowa.edu and refer to requisition #60450 and #60326. A statement of professional and teaching interests should be attached to the on-line application for the lecturer position. Review of applications will begin February 1, 2012 and continue until filled. The University of Iowa is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer; women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

[David_McGraw]

Thanks for posting our job notice!  I joined the University of Iowa nine years ago for two major reasons: (1) there are two full-time stage management faculty members and (2) the stage management students are given high priority by the full department, rather than simply serving the needs of other programs.  And we have gained prominence for both training our own students and for conducting practical research (national survey, audition databank, stage manager simulator, etc.) that serves the entire field. 

If you are currently teaching stage management or are considering the career transition, we encourage you to visit http://theatre.uiowa.edu and apply for this position. Since this is a hybrid position of faculty and professional staff, we require applications for both halves of the job. Technically, someone could apply for just the Lecturer or the PSM half-time position, but we hope to fill both positions with the same candidate. We have also streamlined the application process so that the applicant simply has to create one profile and then upload the same information to both 50% positions.

[kmc307]

Perhaps a question then if it's technically two PT positions.  Many PT positions aren't eligible for health, retirement, pension, etc.. benefits.  If a candidate is accepted to two PT positions would that be considered FT status for benefits purposes?  If I was going to apply to this position this would be high on my list of questions. 

[David_McGraw]

Good question!  The University of Iowa begins offering benefits at the 50% level, so even if they were two separate positions, both would receive health care options.  But our goal is to hire one individual at 100%, which, as a state institution, means a very generous benefits package.

[vbskeeby]

Man oh man.  My dream gig, actually.  I'm about two years away from feeling ready to start applying for those types of jobs, though.  There are still some professional seeds I need to sow.

[loebtmc]

interesting - I came close to a job at Fresno State (urged by their TD) but was unable to complete in the end - maybe this time...

[David_McGraw]

We encourage everyone who meets the job qualifications to apply!  This seems to be a banner year for stage management openings, so it will be interesting to see who appears at the grad recruiting sessions next year.  I chose the University of Iowa even though I had mostly worked in larger cities in the East because the focus is truly on the students and new works and not on academic politics.  No jumping through tenure hoops, and a three-year contract which is all the job security I need.  I thought I would miss "big city living," but a 29,000-student research university/hospital means all the amenities and none of the traffic.  And when I crave more, Chicago is just a 3-hour drive or Megabus trip away!  But now I am boasting....

Vbskeeby, I completely agree with you about finding the right time to make the transition.  I still miss the LORT circuit (but our AEA summer theatre satisfies some of those needs).  I went into academics when I hit a plateau and realized that I wanted new challenges.  But the longer you stay in the field, the more horror stories you will be able to share with your students!

[loebtmc]

stupid qq - so you have to apply for each separately, or is there a joint way to apply for both simultaneously?

[David_McGraw]

You create a single profile at Jobs@Iowa and then you apply for each position separately.  So you list your 3 references on your profile just once.  Then for Job #60450, you check the boxes for those three names and the information is imported.  Repeat for Job #60326.  Your references will write a single letter of recommendation.  Overall, it should take about 5 minutes longer than if the two parts were listed as a single job.

[vbskeeby]

Matthew! You sound like you are speaking from experience...  If so, I'm rooting for you!

David - Yeah, I want to be able to teach stage management as well as arts administration, so I've spent the last 5 years or so working in grant writing, marketing, media relations, etc. so that I can teach from experience.  Now I just need to get some shows at a few of the larger theatres in town and I'll feel confident applying for positions.  My husband is from Iowa - he'd love to go back.

[Scott (formerly Digga)]

Had to look up what a Statement of Teaching Interests was but I think I got it all figured out.  Now it's a wait and see approach.  Does anyone know when the jobs start?

[loebtmc]

ah well, ran out of hours opening my current show. But to whomever gets this job, have a blast!
t

[David_McGraw]

Scott,

Today (Wednesday) was the first day that the search committee could open the files.  We hope to develop a short list by the end of next week.  Then it is a matter of university procedures (Equal Opportunity, etc.) before we can contact the short list.  Our hope is to conduct phone interviews in February and finalist interviews at the end of March/beginning of April.  The position starts in mid-August.

For everyone, the search is technically open until the position is filled.  So if you want to submit an application this weekend, it is not too late.  But we do read all applicants who made the February 1st deadline before other entries.

David.