School of Drama

The Helmerich School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is pleased to invite applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Lighting Design! 

The successful candidate should have a strong commitment to teaching, training and working in a university environment, demonstrated artistic ability at both professional and academic levels, as well as strong collegial interpersonal skills. Candidate will teach courses in Lighting Design at an undergraduate level including, but not limited to: Lighting Design, Computer Aided Design, Intro to Design; design one to three productions in OU’s University Theatre season; supervise and mentor student designers in production; and assume a role in the further development of the undergraduate design & production concentrations. Candidate will be expected to maintain professional design opportunities and/or creative and scholarly activities in order to achieve tenure and succeed in the program.

The OU Helmerich School of Drama prepares students for creative and meaningful professional careers in a broad range of jobs in professional theatre, dance, opera, TV, film, live entertainment, industrial and theme park venues. We offer theatre training in a conservatory-style environment while still offering the advantages of a liberal arts education from a nationally renowned university. The School is comprised of 22 full-time faculty & staff with 135 majors. It offers a BFA in Theatre with emphases in design (scenic, lighting, costume, and sound), performance, stage management, and dramaturgy as well as an MA in Drama. The School collaborates with the Schools of Dance and Musical Theatre, and the School of Music’s Opera Program to produce 9 main stage productions each year in addition to a season of 3-4 Gilson Lab Theatre studio productions.

Norman is a culturally rich and vibrant town located just outside Oklahoma City. With outstanding schools, amenities, and a low cost of living, Norman is a perennial contender on the “Best Places to Live” rankings. 

Fill out your application here.

Seth Gordon, a nationally recognized stage director and producer of new plays, has been named as director of the Helmerich School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma.

A passionate educator, Gordon has taught stage directing, dramaturgy and audition techniques, and he has been invited to lead master classes in directing and acting at Webster University, Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory, Cleveland Play House, Carnegie Mellon University, Pratt Institute and New York University.

As associate artistic director of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Gordon created and produced Ignite! an annual new play festival; crafted and curated a new play commissioning program; administered creative campaigns and fundraising efforts; assisted with season selection; supervised the casting and literary department; and was a member of the long range strategic planning committee.

"We are eager to welcome Seth to the University of Oklahoma as he enriches our already strong theatrical offerings in the Helmerich School of Drama and guides our talented faculty, students and staff toward a bright, exciting future," said Mary Margaret Holt, dean of the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts. 

Established in 1968, The Joseph Jefferson Awards honor outstanding theatre artists in the Chicago area. This year, School of Drama alum Paul Kim was the recipient for his Costume Design for The Explorers Club. Read more about the Jeff Awards here.