What are the responsibilities and job description for the Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater position at College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University, Order of Saint Benedict?
The Theater Department at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University invites applications for a full-time term faculty position starting January 2026.
The successful candidate will be a collaborative, innovative scenic design professional with hands-on experience in lighting and sound design, scenic construction and painting, and props. They’ll work closely with students, supported by the technical director, to bring productions to life while also teaching courses that build foundational technical skills and creative expression.
Review of applications will begin November 10 and continue until position is filled.
Why Join Us?
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:
Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Generous Vacation and Sick Leave
Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Tuition Remission for Eligible Dependents
Employer Contributions to a Retirement Plan
Employee Assistance Program with access to free or discounted counseling, legal guidance, financial coaching, and more
Join a committed team dedicated to safety, community, and service in a supportive and values-driven work environment.
To learn more about our benefits, visit mycsbsju.edu/jobs.
Please note, this position is not eligible for employment-based visa sponsorship (i.e., H-1B or Green Card sponsorship). Applicants must possess the required authorization to work in the U.S. at the time of hire.
DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
New Theater Dance Minor
300-seat proscenium theater, a black box, and an amphitheater attached of the black box
Dance studio with ariel rigging
Full complement of LED and ETC lighting system
Professional caliber scene shop
Dedicated rehearsal space
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS
The College of Saint Benedict (CSB), a liberal arts college for women, and Saint John's University (SJU), a liberal arts college for men, are located in the central lakes area of Minnesota, surrounded by more than 3,000 acres of pristine forests, prairies, and lakes. The campuses are minutes away from St. Cloud, an increasingly diverse regional center with a population of over 100,000, and 70 miles from Minneapolis and St. Paul. Some CSB/SJU faculty and staff choose to reside locally, while others commute from the Twin Cities. Both St. Cloud and the Twin Cities offer a wide range of fine arts, cultural, dining, recreational, and sporting opportunities.
CSB/SJU are Catholic colleges in the Benedictine tradition enlivened by values of community, hospitality, stewardship, and justice. The schools are dedicated to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons. Students, staff and faculty from many diverse belief systems and backgrounds collectively bring a rich dimension to the academic, cultural, and religious experience at CSB/SJU. We welcome faculty who devote themselves with passion and integrity to their disciplines and to a transformative education of their students. Please view our brochure regarding Higher Education in the Catholic and Benedictine Tradition.
With a total enrollment of approximately 2,900 students, faculty members develop relationships with students in small classroom settings and have opportunities to work closely with students on research projects, experiential learning experiences, and study abroad programs. Recent initiatives to create a dynamic general education curriculum and to develop plans for a new teaching and learning center demonstrate strong institutional support for faculty development.
Institutional Inclusion Visioning Statement
The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) believe that an excellent liberal arts education requires an understanding and appreciation of cultural difference and that everyone deserves to feel safe and morally valued. To that end, we will challenge our own practices and systems. Our commitment to an inclusive environment will be incorporated into all decision-making processes. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons.
CSB and SJU offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program (click the benefits tab above the position summary section to view more information). For further information regarding our institutions, visit CSBSJU.
The posted wage represents CSB and SJU's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon several factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, and skills, and may fall outside of the range indicated.
This position will teach various technical theater courses, THEA 200 Theater Experience, and courses in the general education curriculum.
The candidate will serve as the scenic, lighting and sound director for three theatrical productions each academic year, including a bi-annual spring dance concert or musical. There is an opportunity to mentor student designers for these productions.
The candidate will be responsible for teaching three 4-credit courses per semester, plus contributing to departmental level service and student advising.
Required:
M.F.A in Theater with a Scene Design or Technical Direction emphasis required.
Proficiency with standard shop equipment and strong carpentry, painting, and theatrical effects skills.
Experience with theatrical rigging techniques and electrics hang.
Ability to apply and teach industry safety standards.
Proficiency with Vectorworks and/or AutoCAD.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to establish, foster and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
Ability to effectively mentor students.
Evidence of the ability to be an effective teacher.
Preferred:
Experience teaching at the collegiate level, particularly teaching Technical Theater courses.
Proficiency in welding.
Experience with ETC EOS and QLab.
Applications are accepted online by clicking on "Apply" above. Applicants are asked to provide the following materials:
Applications are accepted online by clicking on "Apply" above. Applicants are asked to provide the following materials:
Curriculum vitae.
A letter of application which addresses how the applicant's education, teaching interests, and teaching and/or work experience meet the position qualifications.
A statement of teaching philosophy, including how you will support inclusion for all students in the classroom and use innovative/active-learning pedagogies.
Unofficial copies of transcripts; official copy required upon hire.
Names and contact information of three references.
[OPTIONAL] Evidence of teaching effectiveness, for example: student course surveys, examples of learning outcomes, peer or student testimonials, or other materials.
If you require an accommodation to participate in the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (320) 363-5500 or employment@csbsju.edu.
It is the policy of CSB and SJU to conduct a pre-employment background check. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employers.
Salary : $59,688 - $63,651
