AY2025-2026 Position #6575: Theatre - Associate / Full Professor of Practice and Director of the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre

Description

Professor of Practice (Open Rank) of Theatre – Musical Director of the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre (position #6575)

The Division of Theatre in the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University seeks an outstanding specialist in Musical Theater for a full-time, non-tenured Professor of Practice in its nationally regarded BFA Theatre program. Located in the heart of Dallas, Texas, SMU is a long-time leader in the field of theater and music training and for the first time in its history is launching a musical theater emphasis within the division of theater. With a faculty of working professionals and a long-standing partnership with the Tony-award winning Dallas Theater Center, we work to make and teach theatre that celebrates the human spirit and deeply engages with the
larger world.

The position functions as the Musical Director for the Musical Theatre program. This would involve working closely with the Sexton Institute Director and staff, helping plan and select the “season,” coordinating all musical needs including hiring accompanists, conductors, and orchestras and collaborating with composers and lyricists when new or existing works are chosen. The position would involve musical directing and conducting at least one production every other year and teaching voice, piano, or MT history, depending on the strengths of the candidate.

This is a Professional and Teaching faculty position. While it is not eligible for tenure, it has a three-tier promotion path and opportunity for long-term (five-year) contracts which may, at the top rank (Professor of Practice), be renewed annually contingent on job performance. Professional and Teaching faculty’s primary responsibility is teaching, though courses may be substituted by significant service roles. Additional service may include academic advising, recruiting, student mentoring, and other departmental service as needed, and will be negotiated based on teaching load and departmental needs. Creative work and research are not expected, though they may be rewarded.

Salary competitive and commensurate with rank and experience. Benefits competitive. Candidates from under-represented groups in higher education are especially encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

• an MFA or commensurate professional experience in the field
• experience with a wide range of musical theater, and a deep understanding of the history and roots of American Musical Theatre (MT)
• experience as a professional and/or educational musical director
• superior music skills and the ability to teach music as well as voice for MT and/or music theory, piano, or history of American MT.

Application Instructions

Applications must be submitted electronically via Interfolio at the following link:  http://apply.interfolio.com/150667. Applications must include (1) a cover letter, (2) CV, (3) a sample syllabus, (4) teaching statement, and (5) the names and contact information of 3-5 references.

Start Date: 1 August 2025. Questions regarding the search may be directed to Joel Ferrell, Search Committee Chair, at joelferrell@smu.edu

Review of applications will begin December 15, 2024. To ensure full consideration for the position, the application must be received by December 15th, 2024, but the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. The committee will notify applicants of its employment decisions after the position is filled. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.

Housed within the renowned SMU Meadows School of the Arts in the heart of Dallas, Texas, the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre offers students exemplary training in all aspects of musical theater with an emphasis on building outstanding acting skills. The Institute encourages students' individual artistic journeys in a radically inclusive program. In partnership with the Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center, the Sexton Institute faculty of working professionals connects students to a diverse group of industry artists who are exploring cutting-edge new work and re-examining classics, in turn preparing students for a lifetime of artistic creation and leadership.

Founded in 1969, the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University is one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States. The Meadows School offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in advertising, art, art history, arts management and arts entrepreneurship, creative computation, music, theatre, dance, film and media arts, public affairs & corporate communication, journalism and fashion journalism. The goal o