Tenure Track Position in Performance Production + Design

FCAD, School of Performance

Posted: March 26, 2020
Deadline to Apply: Saturday, April 25, 2020

Located in downtown Toronto, the largest and most culturally diverse city in Canada, Ryerson University, is on the territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples and is known for innovative programs built on the integration of theoretical and practical learning. Our undergraduate and graduate programs are distinguished by a professionally focused curriculum with a strong emphasis on excellence in teaching, scholarly research and creative activities. Ryerson is known for its culture of entrepreneurship and innovation and is recognized as a city builder, as it continues its growth through award-winning architecture and expansion of its campus.

Dedicated to a people first culture, Ryerson is proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer. To learn more about our work environment, please visit us on Twitter:  @RyersonU@RyersonHR and @RyersonECI and our LinkedIn company page. We invite you to explore employment at Ryerson. Aboriginal candidates who would like to learn more about working at Ryerson University are welcome to contact Tracey King, Indigenous Human Resources Lead at t26king@ryerson.ca OR Monica McKay, Director, Aboriginal Initiatives at mmckay@ryerson.ca].

The Opportunity

The School of Performance in the Faculty of Communication and Design (FCAD) at Ryerson University invites applications for a full-time, tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Production+Design Program, effective July 1, 2020, subject to final budgetary approval.

Located in the heart of Canada’s artistic and entertainment capital, the School of Performance is recognized as a leading university-based conservatory for the training of actors, dancers, and production professionals.  Over 400 full-time students are served by 9 full-time and approximately 55 part-time faculty, and 8 support staff.

The School offers a BFA in each of three disciplines: Acting, Dance, and Production+Design. An MFA in Dramatic Writing will commence September 2021. We aim to provide the highest standard of arts education for exceptionally talented performers and practitioners who will go on to become world class artists, leaders, and global citizens. We aim to raise the standard of professional practice in theatrical disciplines, pursuing excellence in performance to provoke curiosity and risk-taking in a changing political and social world.

A four-year BFA program in the School of Performance, Production+Design prides itself on the breadth and depth of offerings in production management, creative technologies and design applications for live performance and entertainment. The programme provides students with leadership skills to develop, produce, and manage theatre, dance, music and a wide range of live production as well as training in costume and scenery, lighting, projection, audio, and more.  Housed in the centre of the entertainment district in Toronto, the programme prepares graduates to work in design and production of large corporate events, live concert events, and innumerable theatrical and dance settings. Post-graduate programs in Design, Business, and Arts Administration offer expanded opportunities.

The Production+Design program works collaboratively with the School’s Acting and Dance programs. The BFA Acting at Ryerson offers rigorous conservatory training in theatre, film, and television, and includes both classical and contemporary approaches for a solid grounding in all areas of performance. The BFA Dance at Ryerson is a one-of-a-kind, conservatory style environment offering rigorous daily professional training in four core dance disciplines (ballet, modern, contemporary, and jazz) alongside direct collaboration with visiting guest artists and major arts organizations.

The School’s programmes focus on creative exploration and experiential learning to foster artists who are defining the future course of the arts and culture industry.

This position falls under the jurisdiction of the Ryerson Faculty Association (RFA) (www.rfanet.ca).

The RFA collective agreement can be viewed here and a summary of RFA benefits can be found here.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will engage in a combination of teaching, research and service duties, maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and collegial work environment across all activities. The successful candidate will

  • teach undergraduate courses in leadership, production management, and theatre production in consultation with the Chair of the School; this includes but not limited to production schedules, budget and cost estimates, front of house management, execution of an event, work flow and safety procedures as it relates to an internal performance season.
  • establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with faculty and staff.
  • provide guidance, support, and mentoring to students in the Production+Design program.
  • participate in cultural and community engagement that can support and encourage industry and educational partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally.
  • continue to participate in professional performance and research activities within the area of expertise in order to fulfill tenure and promotion requirements.
  • Participate in regular department meetings and follow through on production management action items as it relates to the curriculum and to the School of Performance season.

It is also desirable that the candidate join the Yeates School of Graduate Studies, with a view to supervising graduate students. Candidates accorded strongest consideration will demonstrate professional experience in cultural leadership, community engagement in the arts and culture sector, experience with profit and not-for-profit live entertainment, with a strong record of teaching at the post-secondary level.

Qualifications 

The School is seeking an experienced theatre professional and educator who possesses a vision of excellence in artistic training, and has an ability to work collaboratively across programs in acting, dance and production. They will have worked in the Canadian live entertainment sector in production management, or similar creative administrative positions, developing, producing, or managing across a broad range of live performance.

The successful candidate must hold a relevant terminal degree such as a MFA, MBA, or equivalent.  In addition, the successful candidate must present evidence of:

  • substantial knowledge of techniques, methods, and procedures of theatre, dance, and music productions and presentations including costume, scenic, sound and lighting design and implementation; stage management; patron services; appropriate safety precautions and procedures;
  • substantial professional experience in producing, directing, or performance creation;
  • excellence in teaching at the post-secondary level in graduate or under-graduate programs;
  • creative leadership practice, scholarly research, or equivalent; developing and implementing new solutions and procedural changes as it relates to courses and curriculum;
  • ability to foster sustainable practices that encourage a healthy learning environment and a passion for student well-being in a performing arts education;
  • a strong commitment to student success and academic excellence in an environment of creative innovation
  • a commitment to the production of new and innovative works in a training environment;
  • an ability to leverage industry knowledge and partnerships to guide and nurture the incubation of new works for public audiences;
  • demonstrated excellence in the role of artistic producer with a capacity for visionary curation and project development;
  • an ability to work collaboratively with academic colleagues, as well as with directors, designers, and production staff to achieve a common goal and celebrate the contribution of others;
  • excellent communication, interpersonal, and mentoring skills;
  • a commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in Ryerson’s values of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as it pertains to teaching, research, service, and creative activities including a demonstrated ability to make learning accessible and inclusive for a diverse student population;
  • an ability to contribute to the life of the School, Faculty and the University through collegial service; and
  • proficiency in related computer programs and databases.

Preference will be given to candidates with professional experience in management or producing and who demonstrate the potential for industry recognition. It is also desirable that the successful candidate have experience in the corporate and not-for-profit sector, and extensive knowledge of Canada’s entertainment community.

Equity at Ryerson 

At the intersection of mind and action, Ryerson is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

Ryerson University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their application online via the Faculty Recruitment Portal (click on “Start Application Process” to begin) by April 25, 2020. The application must contain the following:

  • a curriculum vitae;
  • a letter of application that outlines the candidate’s areas of specialization, professional practice, teaching and leadership experience,
  • a brief statement of teaching philosophy including teaching evaluations; and
  • the names and contact information for three references.

Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Candidates must therefore indicate in their application if they are a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. 

Any confidential inquiries can be directed to the Department Hiring Committee (DHC) Chair, Natalie Alvarez at natalie.alvarez@ryerson.ca.

Ryerson is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. For any confidential accommodation needs in order to participate in the recruitment and selection process and/or inquiries regarding accessing the Faculty Recruitment Portal, please contact Sumentha D’Souza at sumentha@ryerson.ca

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