The Department of Theatre and Dance at Cornell College invites applicants for a staff Lecturer in Theatre and Dance starting fall 2026. The technical director is responsible for the technical direction and sound design for all departmental productions, and teaches two courses annually. There is an opportunity for additional design work with additional compensation based upon availability and expertise. This is a full-time, ten-month appointment. Appointment to begin in August 2026.

MFA in Theatre Production and Technology or related field required or equivalent professional experience. Degree in Technical Direction strongly preferred. Demonstrated proficiency in technical direction and sound design required.

Organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills; technical writing skills and strong interpersonal communication skills; experience with AutoCAD systems required; experience with analog and digital sound systems desirable. Must be able to lift 50 lbs above head.

The Department seeks individuals committed to excellence and innovation in undergraduate education.

Cornell’s One Course At A Time academic calendar is divided into eight 3½ week blocks in which students take and faculty teach a single course. The college encourages interdisciplinary interests among its faculty and the development of teaching strategies that capitalize on our distinctive academic calendar. One Course At A Time allows us the freedom to take students off-campus without impinging on other course commitments. In addition, class size is limited to 25 students, and upper-level courses are often smaller.

About Cornell College

Cornell College is a national liberal arts college committed to excellence in teaching and the creation of a welcoming community in which all individuals are respected and included. Our innovative curriculum includes a focus on the essential abilities of writing, quantitative reasoning, and intercultural literacy as well as experiential learning. The One Course At A Time approach fosters strong student engagement and close faculty-student relationships while allowing faculty freedom to design and carry out their classes, on campus or off.

Founded in 1853, Cornell was the first college west of the Mississippi to graduate both men and women. Academic immersion, real world experience requirements through Ingenuity in Action, and unparalleled flexibility attract an ambitious student body from around the world.

Seventy percent of our students are from outside Iowa, representing nearly 50 states and 27 foreign countries. Students of color comprise one-fourth of the student body.

Cornell’s picturesque hilltop campus is a National Historic District and was the first campus listed in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places. Mount Vernon is a small, college-centered town in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City corridor, home to nearly half a million people. It has two additional National Historic Districts and a classic Main Street a short walk from campus. Mount Vernon attractions include boutique shopping; walking paths; a dedicated sledding hill; and 13 annual festivals and events including Chalk the Walk, Chili Cookoff, and Magical Mount Vernon.

Cornell College offers a very competitive benefits package that includes health, dental, vision, HSA and FSA accounts, a TIAA 403(b) retirement account, and tuition remission and exchange for employees and dependents. We also offer life insurance, disability insurance, travel insurance, and accident insurance.

Interested applicants should submit the following materials through Cornell College’s online application system:

• A letter of application/cover letter
• Current Curriculum Vitae/resume
• 3-5 Representative samples of portfolio, including drafting samples
• Names and contact information for a minimum of three references.

Applications will be reviewed beginning June 15, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

For more information about the department, please visit the Theatre and Dance departmental website.

Any questions can be directed to Scott Olinger, Department Chair and Professor of Theatre at solinger@cornellcollege.edu

Cornell is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. Cornell complies with Iowa’s Smoke-free Air Act. Cornell utilizes E-Verify and requires the satisfactory completion of a background check.

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