Assistant or Associate of Acting

Oklahoma City University • Oklahoma City, OK

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Theatre at Oklahoma City University seeks a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Acting for a nine-month appointment. The successful candidate will join the nationally recognized BFA program and prepare students for professional careers in performance. The school seeks a collaborative artist-scholar and educator with substantial professional experience in theatre and/or related performance industries, such as film, television, voiceover, commercial, digital, and emerging media, and an active professional practice.

Primary teaching responsibilities include Audition Techniques, Professional Preparation (the senior capstone course), and Acting Company I and II, with additional assignments in the acting curriculum as needed. The faculty member will mentor students as they move from training to professional practice, developing their audition skills, professional standards, career readiness, and industry awareness. Candidates should be able to teach the basics of the Stanislavski system and/or other proven foundational acting techniques and methodologies, and support students in building artistic, professional, and entrepreneurial skills.

Depending on departmental needs and the candidate’s expertise, opportunities may exist to direct productions and contribute artistically to TheatreOCU. The position also includes participation in the life of the school and university through assessment, student advising, recruitment and retention initiatives, committee service, and continued professional engagement. Effective teaching, scholarly and/or creative activity, and service are required for promotion and tenure. Appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Requirements

• MFA in Acting, Directing, Theatre, or a closely related field, or equivalent distinguished professional experience.
• Significant professional experience as an actor, director, or theatre artist.
• Demonstrated professional accomplishment in theatre and/or related performance industries, including film, television, voiceover, commercial, digital, or emerging media.
• Demonstrated effectiveness teaching, mentoring, coaching, or training actors at the collegiate, conservatory, professional, or pre-professional level.
• Ability to teach introductory acting, audition techniques, and professional preparation or career development for performers.
• Commitment to student-centered teaching and mentorship.
• Demonstrated potential to participate successfully in a tenure-track faculty environment through teaching, scholarship or creative activity, and service.
• Three or more years of university-level teaching experience.
• Current or recent professional activity in theatre, film, television, or related performance industries.

Nice To Haves

• Membership in professional organizations or unions such as Actors' Equity Association (AEA), SAG-AFTRA, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), or equivalent professional affiliations.
• Experience directing theatrical productions.
• Established professional networks and industry connections that enhance student career development and professional opportunities.
• Experience with student recruitment, advising, and retention initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Teach Audition Techniques, Professional Preparation, and Acting Company I and II, with additional acting-curriculum assignments as needed.
• Mentor students transitioning from training to professional practice, including development of audition skills, professional standards, career readiness, and industry awareness.
• Train students in the basics of the Stanislavski system and/or other proven foundational acting techniques and methodologies.
• Support students in developing artistic, professional, and entrepreneurial skills for the entertainment industry.
• Participate in assessment activities, student advising, recruitment and retention initiatives, and committee service.
• Maintain ongoing professional engagement and an active professional practice.
• Contribute to teaching, scholarship and/or creative activity, and service in support of promotion and tenure.
• As departmental needs and candidate expertise permit, direct productions and contribute artistically to TheatreOCU.

Benefits

• Tuition remission for faculty, spouses, and dependent children at Oklahoma City University and participating institutions through tuition exchange programs.
• Health insurance.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Family membership to the university fitness center.
• TIAA retirement plan.
• Additional employee benefits as provided by the University.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior