About this role
Position Description
The School of Theatre & Dance within the Texas Tech University J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts, invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, Assistant or Associate Professor of Theatre to begin in the Fall of 2027.
The ideal candidate will teach graduate courses in theatre pedagogy at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with expertise in directing and period styles such as Commedia, Shakespeare, Greek, and/or Restoration. Courses will prepare undergraduates for professional theatre careers and graduate students for creative research, teaching, and practice. We seek a colleague who will develop and model innovative teaching approaches that draw on emerging industry practices and technologies, and who will leverage professional experience to advance an impactful research profile.
The successful candidate will establish a research agenda through peer-reviewed scholarship/creative activity, and industry engagement. The position includes directing responsibilities within TTU's production season and mentoring graduate students (MA/MFA/PhD) through research, creative development, and pedagogical inquiry.
Service commitments include contributing to school governance, supporting college and university initiatives aligned with the strategic priorities of the University and the College, and building partnerships with external communities. The candidate will participate in formal advising, curriculum development, policy formation, and strategic planning.
All prospective employees are encouraged to visit Work at Texas Tech to learn more about becoming a part of our campus community.
About the University
Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University began with a mission to serve the needs of West Texas, but its impact has always reached far beyond. Today, Texas Tech, located in Lubbock (pop. 300,000+), is home to a vibrant community of more than 42,000 students. Texas Tech's 1,800-acre campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and is home to one of the country's largest public art collections. Its 13 colleges include a prestigious School of Law and a distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields.
Built on the values of West Texas — hard work, grit and authenticity — the university graduates students who are deeply engaged in service to their communities and well-positioned to succeed in the world. Texas Tech is committed to achieving research and scholarly accomplishments that compare favorably to the member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU). For more than 100 years, Texas Tech has been a premier destination for those seeking a world-class education and a unique, personalized experience as a member of the Red Raider family.
About the College
The J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts (TCVPA) is the beating heart of Texas Tech University. We are a Values Based Organization, and a creative community with the resources of a world-class public university. Our students from all over the world shine with Texas-sized ambition, curiosity, and compassion. Across the School of Art, School of Music, School of Theatre & Dance and the Department of Interdisciplinary Arts, our schools provide a supportive visual and performing arts education.
New students join a community of 1,150 arts dedicated undergraduate and graduate students—including D.M.A. and Ph.D. candidates, and over 135 faculty members. The arts are relevant, critical, and essential to contemporary life. An education in the arts inspires students to communicate through artistic tradition while embracing and creating innovative technologies as vehicles for individual expression and social change. For more information visit: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/visual-performing-arts/.
About the Department/School/Area
The School of Theatre & Dance is NAST accredited and offers the BA in Dance, BA in Theatre Arts; BFA in Theatre Arts: acting, design, musical theatre; BFA in Dance, MA in Dance Studies; MA in Theatre Arts; MFA in Theatre Arts: Arts Administration, Design, and Performance and Pedagogy; PhD. in Fine Arts with a Track in Theatre and multiple concentration options. A faculty of 22 full-time professors serve approximately 140 undergraduate students and 60 graduate students. Technical and administrative support includes a total of 8 staff positions. The School’s resources include a state-of-the-art facility which opened in January 2023. Experiential and outreach opportunities include the BurkTech Players, Theatre & Dance in the Community, ARCANE Disaster Day, and the WildWind Summer Camps. www.depts.ttu.edu/theatreanddance/.
Major/Essential Functions
In line with TCVPA’s Strategic Plan that includes Three Planning Pillars of Innovation, Outreach and Engagement, and Educational Excellence, applicants should have experience working with a variety of student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels.
As a faculty member in the School of Theatre & Dance, among other duties, you will be expected to:
- Contribute to the mission & vision of the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts and the School of Theatre & Dance
- Mentor and recruit graduate and undergraduate students
- Develop a record of peer-reviewed research/creative activity
- Provide service to the school, college, and university within your areas of interest
- Direct productions and mentor student directors within the season at the School of Theatre & Dance
Faculty Qualifications
- Earned terminal degree in theatre or theatre-adjacent field. Degree must be conferred no later than position start date.
- Demonstrated experience teaching and developing pedagogy courses and teaching within a range of acting-performance methodologies or training lineages.
- Directing experience in either academic or professional settings.
Preferred Qualifications
In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:
- Earned Ph.D. degree preferred
- Minimum of 3 years teaching experience at the collegiate level.
- Experience teaching at the graduate level as an instructor of record.
- Emerging or established creative research agenda with an outlook toward future scholarship/creative activity, including record of activity indicative of potential to secure external funding.
- Ability to integrate emerging industry practices and technologies into teaching, particularly regarding actor-training pedagogy.
- Membership in a field-related professional union (e.g. SDC, SAFD, AEA and/or SAG/AFTRA)
- Evidence of emerging or established service to the performance industry.
- Certification in and/or experience teaching stage combat and/or stage intimacy.
Safety Information
Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please include the following documents in your application:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Cover Letter (maximum two pages, 12 point font)
- Link to sample of professional work or portfolio accompanied by a statement of research and/or creative activity (maximum two pages, 12 point font).
- Names and contact information of at least three references
Questions about this position should be directed to Dr. /Prof. Seth Warren-Crow, Search Committee Chair at [email protected]. If you need assistance with the application process, contact Human Resources, Talent Acquisition at [email protected] or 806-742-3851.
The deadline to submit applications is January 4, 2027. To ensure full consideration, please complete an online application.
Pay Statement
Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.
EEO Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.