Instructor, Technical Direction, Dance
The Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of South Carolina, Columbia campus, invites applications for a full time, professional-track position at the rank of instructor to begin August 16, 2026. The position is a 9-month appointment with a workload equivalent to teaching four courses per semester divided among traditional teaching and technical direction for dance productions. This is an annual appointment that may be renewed contingent upon Dean’s approval, satisfactory performance, departmental needs, and the availability of funding. Candidates must have an M.A. or M.F.A. in Lighting Design, Technical Theatre with an emphasis in lighting design, or comparable professional experience in technical direction for dance by the start of the appointment. The primary duty will be to provide comprehensive technical support for all dance productions and teach Dance Production Design to undergraduate and graduate students in dance. Applicants must have the ability to promote a collaborative, team-based environment while fulfilling artistic visions and production deadlines. The successful candidate will provide comprehensive production support for the dance program, which includes serving as the lighting designer for all dance productions, building sets on occasion as needed, and coordinating outside hire for costume design/construction and running crew for dance performances. The Technical Director also ensures the fulfillment of production vision, schedules, and deadlines, establishes and maintains production budgets and expenditures in collaboration with the Director of the Dance Program and the Department Chair, facilitates the technical and dress rehearsals for the dance program, and serves as the stage manager, or mentor for student stage managers, and sound designer for all dance productions. The position requires collaboration with technical/design faculty in the Theatre Program to assist with and coordinate student crews, helping with load into and load out of rotating theatrical venues, and mentoring lighting design students who design for the Student Choreography Showcase. While ensuring that the technical needs of dance program faculty and student choreographers are met, the Technical Director also acts as a production coordinator for dance by serving as the departmental liaison for guest artists, communicating with professional dance companies about their lighting and technology needs for their choreography that is presented by the Betsy Blackmon Dance Company, and coordinating the rental, staffing, and technology needs in the Koger Center, which is used by the dance program for two performances per year. In addition to production responsibilities, this position requires teaching Production Design for Dance for undergraduate students and a companion course every other summer at the graduate level for the new M.A. in Dance Studies. Finally, the Technical Director for Dance acts as the facilities liaison with the custodial staff by ensuring that dance floors are receiving proper care and cleaning to guarantee their longevity and reports/monitors all repairs that need to be made in dance facilities. In addition to coordinating with facilities, the Technical Director ensures that all sound equipment, televisions, and computers in the studios/classrooms are functioning, coordinates regular piano tuning, and completes all production related purchases including, but not limited to, costume and scenic rentals, specialized lighting equipment, and sound technology. This position requires being comfortable with heights and working on ladders, possession of a valid driver’s license, and the ability to lift 50 pounds.
Find out more and submit an application at:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/198610
Assistant Professor (Contemporary Dance)
The faculty of the Betsy Blackmon Dance Program within the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of South Carolina, Columbia campus, invites applications for a 9-month, full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin August 16, 2026. The position requires an M.F.A. or Ph.D./Ed.D in dance, or related area, with substantial experience in contemporary dance as a performer, choreographer, and pedagogue by the time of the appointment. Preferred qualifications include professional experience with a reputable dance company, previous experience teaching at the college/university level, experience choreographing at the collegiate or professional level, and a strong record of creative and/or scholarly activity. The successful candidate will teach a 3/3 course load each academic year, which includes teaching all levels of contemporary dance and improvisation and composition. Additional instructional responsibilities could include choreographing for departmental concerts and directing student choreography showcases, which are both course assignments. We would also welcome secondary expertise in teaching dance history, choreography, other forms of dance, dance pedagogy, and dance studies/theory. Candidates should display a collaborative spirit with a strong commitment to creating and maintaining healthy and supportive educational spaces.
Find out more and submit an application at:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/192167
Instructor/Assistant Technical Director
The faculty of the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of South Carolina,
Columbia campus, invites applications for a full time, professional-track position
at the rank of instructor to begin January 1, 2026. The position is a 9-month appointment with a workload equivalent to teaching four
courses per semester divided among traditional teaching and technical direction for
theatre productions. This is an annual appointment that may be renewed contingent
upon Dean’s approval, satisfactory performance, departmental needs, and the availability
of funding.
Candidates must have an M.A. or M.F.A. in Theatre or comparable professional experience
in technical direction for theatre by the start of the appointment. The primary duty
of the Assistant Technical Director is to assist the Technical Director in the implementation
of all scenic activities (scenery construction, painting, and props) for departmental
mainstage productions. Applicants must have the ability to promote a collaborative,
team-based environment while fulfilling artistic visions and production deadlines.
Job responsibilities will include serving as Assistant Technical Director for mainstage
theatrical productions each year by helping faculty and staff achieve departmental
production and educational goals. Under the direction of the Technical Director, the
Assistant Technical Director oversees and constructs scenic elements that fulfill
designers’ artistic visions. Duties include but are not limited to: maintaining equipment,
inventory, and upkeep of shop and theatre spaces; interpreting construction drawings,
building scenery, and purchasing materials and supplies for productions; managing
projects, in collaboration with the Technical Director, to ensure the fulfillment
of production vision, schedules, and deadlines; establishing and maintaining production
budgets and expenditures; assisting with load into and load out of theatrical venues;
teaching courses in stagecraft or related topics such as scenic design, advanced production
design for theatre, elements of design, or special topics in theatre; and supervising
part-time staff and/or students who are employed and/or completing experiential, laboratory
placements in theatre production studios while ensuring proper training and adherence
to safety procedures/standards. This position requires being comfortable with heights
and working on ladders, possession of a valid driver’s license, and the ability to
lift 50 pounds. Successful candidates will be proficient in scenic carpentry, welding
and metal working, computer-aided drafting, basic computer skills, and theatrical
rigging, and possess basic understanding/experience in scenic painting, and properties
construction.
Find out more and submit an application at:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/192127
Instructor, Costume Technology
The faculty of the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of South Carolina, Columbia campus, invites applications for a full time, professional-track position at the rank of Instructor to begin August 16, 2026. The position is a 9-month appointment with a workload equivalent to teaching four courses per semester divided among traditional teaching and costume production work. This is an annual appointment that may be renewed contingent upon Dean’s approval, satisfactory performance, departmental needs, and the availability of funding.
Working directly with the Costume Shop Manager and fulfilling visions of the Head of Costume Design and graduate students, successful candidates must display a collaborative spirit with a strong commitment to creating and maintaining innovative, productive, and supportive educational spaces. Job responsibilities include a range of tasks, starting with pre-production where duties involve sourcing materials, attending production and design meetings, and maintaining costume storage. During production, responsibilities encompass draping, costume craft, wig production, and millinery as needed. Mandatory attendance at fittings and technical rehearsals is also required along with the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. This position also includes teaching courses in costume technology, craft, dye technique, millinery, and wig making. Additional shop duties involve machine maintenance, general shop organization, and dye and laundry room maintenance.
Find out more and submit an application at:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/192138
Business Manager
Under minimal supervision, serves as the business manager for the Department of Theatre & Dance. Plans, coordinates and/or performs complex administrative and/or business management and Human Resources activities for the department. Supervises the performance of all activities related to fiscal management, such as: part-time personnel management, contractual agreements, procurement, inventory, travel, and maintenance of facilities. Develops and monitors compliance with annual budgets and provides consultation to Chair regarding the availability of funds and the preparation of all departmental budget requests. Participates in all fiscal management decision processes within the department and is held accountable for the end results. Reports to the Chair of the Department. Preferred qualifications include: bachelor’s degree in a job-related field and 2 or more years of job-related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job-related certification, training, education, and/or experience; knowledge of and ability to learn USC, college, and departmental policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; knowledge of federal and state laws, policies, procedures, rules and regulations related to the specific administrative/management functions; and knowledge of governmental and educational fiscal and personnel procedures, practices and policies.
Find out more and submit an application at:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/194615
The University of South Carolina is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. Women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.