Assistant Professor of Theatre

As the University’s largest and most varied academic unit, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is comprised of artists, learners, performers, scholars, scientists, and teachers across 21+ departments, programs, schools, and centers and acts as a central hub where many of the University's disciplines intersect. Nearly all 6,000 undergraduates at the University take liberal arts courses with us, and about one-third of these students declare a first major in a CAHSS program. Many of our departments, programs, and schools offer master's or doctoral programs. CAHSS scholars, artists, instructors, staff, and students collaborate in a shared quest for knowledge about the human condition and the development of skills to improve our local and global communities. The diverse scope of CAHSS allows our students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at nearly any career in today’s global society.

The Department of Theatre within the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is a dynamic department dedicated to comprehensive undergraduate theatre training via a program of study (BA in Theatre) defined by its commitment to breadth of understanding, hands-on experience, and demonstrated excellence. Our students study a wide range of topics including—but not limited to—Acting, Directing, Design, Playwriting, History, Literature, and Management (liberalarts.du.edu/theatre).

Position Summary

The Department of Theatre in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at the University of Denver invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position that will start in September 2025. Duties and responsibilities include: teaching undergraduate theatre courses, ongoing professional creative work at the regional and national level, and service to the department, College, and University.

The ideal candidate demonstrates experience and versatility in inclusive pedagogy. We are especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute to diversity, equity and inclusion through their teaching, research, and service.

Essential Functions

• Teaching responsibilities include undergraduate courses in Acting, Directing, Junior Seminar, Senior Practicum and courses that satisfy the university’s Common Curriculum requirements (such as Page to Stage and Theatre Imagination), and may include specialized topics proposed by the candidate
• Mentoring/consultation for senior capstone productions and independent projects
• Directing one departmental production most years
• Creative/Research expectations include active pursuit of professional acting/directing work
• Service responsibilities include participation on departmental, College, and University committees; participation in departmental curriculum development and revision, in annual selection of production season, in student and departmental assessment, and in student recruitment, retention, and academic advising.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Passion for excellence in professional-standard accomplishment, mentoring, and collaboration
• Excellent communication & interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work well with students, faculty, staff and community
• Demonstrated commitment, knowledge and ability to effectively engage individuals from broadly diverse communities

Required Qualifications

• MFA in Acting or Directing or related field
• Professional experience in acting or directing
• Three years teaching experience in a collegiate/university environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional union membership
• Creative/scholarly/professional expertise in another specialty discipline beyond Acing/Directing (such as dramaturgy, stage combat, clowning, choreography, or actor movement)

Working Environment

1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
While the University's administrative offices are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, faculty schedules vary from term to term and are based on courses taught, service commitments, and research agendas. The University's academic calendars are posted on the registrar's website (the law school is on a semester system and has a different academic cale