Quarterly Lecturer in Playwriting

Position Title:

Quarterly Lecturer in Playwriting

Position Type:

Temporary

Salary Range:

$9,552 for each 4 or 5 unit course. The position is a 1.0 course load.

Purpose:

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Santa Clara University, the Jesuit, Catholic university, seeks applicants for Quarterly Lecturer (non-tenure track) positions to teach courses in Playwriting from established syllabi. Specific assignments will be made according to the academic qualifications of the individual and programmatic need. The course is a ten week workshop class where playwrights are writing new plays. The class culminates in four nights of staged readings in the New Playwrights' Festival, May 31 - June 3, 2026.

Santa Clara University is on the quarter system, and the quarters are 10 weeks long with an 11th week for final examinations. The successful candidate will teach no more than 2 courses in any quarter and no more than four courses over the fall, winter and spring quarters. All classes will be presented in- person, however, if the county health and university health conditions deteriorate, the successful candidate may be asked to teach part of the course online.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• MFA in Theatre or commensurate professional experience.

• Previous teaching experience at the university level.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Collaborative work style and strong organizational skills.

• Commitment to teaching playwriting within a liberal arts context.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MFA in Playwriting.

• Familiarity with Liz Lerman's workshop process.

• Experience with inclusive pedagogical practices that promote access and academic success for all students.

• Experience teaching and mentoring a diverse population of undergraduate students.

RESPONSIBILITIES
TEACHING (100%)
Teaching duties will not exceed more than two courses in any quarter and no more than four in any academic year, and will include but are not limited to fulfilling all responsibilities associated with assigned courses, including:

a. Teach course: THTR 190 New Playwrights' Festival from an approved syllabus in Spring 2026 quarter on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:50-5:30 pm;
b. Conducting and appearing at all assigned class meetings in a timely and prepared manner that demonstrates a command of the discipline and skill in presenting it effectively;
c. Assigning and evaluating assignments that align with the course description and course learning outcomes, and providing timely feedback to students;
d. Holding regular weekly office hours on campus;
e. Submitting student grades that are appropriate, accurate and fair measures of student performance to the Office of the Registrar by the designated deadline;
f. Administering numerical and narrative evaluations for all courses;
g. Where applicable, teaching from an approved syllabus for the University Core courses assigned or working with the Chair to design an appropriate syllabus for submission for approval from the relevant Faculty Core Curriculum Committee.

h. Fulfill other instructional or academic duties as appropriate as may be requested by the Chair of the Department.

The successful candidate will lead the workshop sessions and provide individual dramaturgical advice and exercises, as well as sessions on the business of playwriting. The course uses Liz Lerman's Towards a Process for Critical Response as the basis of workshop classes. In addition to teaching the course, the candidate will introduce and attend all four nights of the festival.

SERVICE (0%)
This position does not require any service duties. You may be invited, but not required, to attend department meetings or activities.

REQUESTED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

• Letter of interest;

• CV including teaching and playwriting experience;

• Contact information for two references (both email and phone numbers).

Please submit the following documents by the application deadline: July 6, 2025

Questions can be directed to: Kimberly Mohne Hill, kihill@scu.edu
Letters of recommendation (if requested) and additional documentation should be sent to Ruth Mikusko, Academic Department Manager [rmikusko@scu.edu].

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Spring quarter is March 30 - June 12, 2026.

THTR 190 New Playwrights' Festival