Assistant Professor of Theatre, Lighting Design

Location: Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States

This is a 9-month, full-time, tenure-track faculty position beginning August 1, 2026. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship.

About the Role

This position instructs BA and BFA theatre students in Lighting and Sound Design and will design and mentor student designers for the Southern Miss Theatre Season. The University of Southern Mississippi is NAST accredited and includes BA and BFA programs housed in a fully equipped multi-theatre complex with shops. USM produces a 4-show mainstage season in theatre.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lighting and/or sound designer for a minimum of 2 productions a year and mentor lighting and sound for all remaining Theatre productions during the academic year.
• Teach undergraduate coursework in Lighting and Sound Design.
• Teach in other areas depending on faculty expertise.
• Advise Theatre majors.
• Engage in program and school recruitment and service activity.
• Stay engaged with the wider field regarding current developments in lighting, sound, and theatrical electrics, including safety and best practices.
• Act as Master Electrician for the Theatre Program, supervising students in the electrics shops.
• Additional summer work with Southern Arena Theatre (SAT) may be available.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• MFA in theatrical lighting or closely related area.
• At least one year of teaching experience.
• Good collaborative skills.
• Ability to teach both lighting and sound design.

Skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty colleagues in design and performance and with technical staff.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Vectorworks and/or AutoCad, ETC light boards (Ion XE, Ion, Element II), ETC dimmers, intelligent lighting fixtures, LEDs.
• Proficiency with digital and analog sound boards (e.g., Midas 32), sound software (Qlab, Audacity), live mixing for musicals.
• Ability to mentor skilled and unskilled student labor in the electrics shop.
• Ability to manage budget allocations and facilitate spending in compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Experience setting clear performance expectations and providing meaningful feedback pertaining to safety and protocol for lighting in theatrical production.

Preferred Qualifications

• Enjoy working closely with students of varying abilities and skills.
• Knowledge of projections for productions.

About The University of Southern Mississippi

Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation's leading research institutions.

Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others. We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering.

We’re developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports.