Visiting Assistant Professor Of Theatre: Theatre Scholarship And Performance

Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre: Theatre Scholarship and Performance

Description and Qualifications:

The School of Theatre Arts (SoTA)  at Illinois Wesleyan University invites applications for a two year visiting position at the Assistant Professor level, to begin August 2024.  The successful candidate will possess a terminal degree, MFA or PhD  at the time of appointment.  We welcome a scholar and artist with established connections to the professional theatre who can collaborate with our campus community across the liberal arts curriculum.  The School of Theatre Arts is seeking an individual who will provide strong leadership and stability to the BA Theatre Arts degree, aligning it with current best practices, a program that is designed for students with a wide range of interests and abilities. The successful candidate will provide direction to the BA in Theatre Arts degree, supporting the breadth of study within the theatre program as a whole. At the same time, the successful candidate will contribute to the performance curriculum of  SOTA as described below.

The School of Theatre Arts seeks candidates whose artistic achievement, teaching, and service have prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in higher education.  Diversity in our environment embraces the acceptance of a multiplicity of diverse backgrounds and worldviews.  We translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies.  We believe that such experiences are both institutional and service imperatives.  We encourage applications from individuals with demonstrated knowledge of and relevant abilities working with diverse communities.

Requirements of the position:

In Teaching: This position is defined as a 4/4 teaching load, that is, four courses per semester, and engages substantially with theatre curriculum and all students in SoTA by teaching core courses in Theatre History, Dramatic Literature, the evolution of Theatre theory and in the delivery of writing pedagogy within the major at all levels, and provides mentorship and advisement of related practicums or degree projects.  The person in this position will also teach in individualized areas of expertise such as: performance (acting, scene study, and/or styles), directing, voice/speech. 

In Service:  This position would participate in leadership in the BA Theatre Arts degree, curriculum development, advising, and recruiting prospective students. 

About the School of Theatre Arts and Illinois Wesleyan University

Our mission is to train well-rounded, entrepreneurial theatre artists prepared to work in professional settings, and to utilize creative problem solving, collaboration, and communication skills in contexts beyond the theatre. The School of Theatre Arts at Illinois Wesleyan University is a vibrant pre-professional program serving approximately 100 majors.  It is one of five professional schools at the university existing within a traditional liberal arts matrix. Theatre students may pursue a BA or one of three BFA degrees in Acting, Design/Technology or Music Theatre. In addition, SoTA supports four distinct minors: theatre studies, theatre design and technology, film studies, and dance.

About Bloomington/Normal, IL

Bloomington/Normal, Illinois has a metropolitan setting with a small town feel.  Located in central Illinois, we are two and a half hours from three major cities (Chicago, St. Louis and Indianapolis).  Travel is very easy with AmTrak, our local airport and major highways.  

Application Instructions

Send application electronically, including in your cover letter a statement describing your perspectives on and, preferably, experience with promoting inclusion; curriculum vitae; graduate school transcripts; three reference contacts; and portfolio or Website address if available. Review of applications will begin June 6, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.  Please send your application to:

Jean Kerr 
Director, School of Theatre Arts
Illinois Wesleyan University 
Bloomington, IL   61702-2900
jkerr@iwu.edu