Assistant or Associate of Acting

Oklahoma City University • Oklahoma City, OK

6d

About The Position

The School of Theatre at Oklahoma City University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor of Acting. The successful candidate will join a nationally recognized, production-based BFA program and help prepare students for professional careers in performance. This is a nine-month appointment.

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 transitioning from training to professional practice, developing their audition skills, professional standards, career readiness, and industry awareness. Candidates should be collaborative artist-scholars and educators who maintain an active professional practice and can teach the basics of the Stanislavski system and/or other proven foundational acting techniques and methodologies. The role emphasizes student-centered teaching and the development of students’ artistic, professional, and entrepreneurial skills.

Depending on departmental needs and candidate expertise, opportunities may be available to direct productions and contribute artistically to TheatreOCU. The successful candidate will participate in the life of the school and university through assessment, advising, recruitment and retention initiatives, committee service, and ongoing professional engagement. Promotion and tenure require effective teaching, scholarly and/or creative activity, and service, with additional requirements defined in the School of Theatre’s tenure procedures.

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

Responsibilities

• Teach Audition Techniques, Professional Preparation, Acting Company I and II, and other acting curriculum courses as needed.
• Mentor students as they transition from training to professional practice, developing 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.
• Maintain an active professional practice and contribute to scholarly and/or creative activity.
• Participate in assessment activities, student advising, recruitment and retention initiatives, committee service, and ongoing professional engagement.
• Potentially direct productions and contribute artistically to TheatreOCU, depending on departmental needs and candidate expertise.

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