Assistant Professor of Instruction

Columbia College Chicago•Chicago, IL

2d•$62,000 - $64,000

About The Position

The School of Theatre and Dance of Columbia College Chicago seeks applicants for a full-time. Teaching-Track Assistant Professor faculty position of Stage Combat beginning August 2026. The candidate will teach stage combat classes, serve as coordinator of the stage combat program, and oversee combat in productions. The teaching load is 12 credits per semester, with course releases for work on productions and mentoring. This person will coordinate scheduling and staffing of stage combat classes, including part-time faculty and student fight captains. They will supervise the stage violence needs for classes, rehearsals, and performances in Theatre and will identify and mentor student fight choreographers for productions and student films. Other duties include overseeing the theatrical weapons armory for classes and productions (mainstage and student directed projects); overseeing purchase of safety equipment for stage combat classrooms; supporting props in blood delivery systems; contributing to curricular planning and oversight; and providing other forms of service to the School of Theatre and Dance as needed. This person will possess the skills and experience to serve as Coordinator of a nationally recognized Stage Combat program. They must hold the rank of Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors. In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates must exhibit excellent teaching and creative/scholarly credentials and be passionate about undergraduate education. Columbia College Chicago’s Stage Combat Program is the largest academic program in the country offering classes in all 8 weapons recognized by the Society of American Fight Directors, as well as classes in History of Martial Styles & Theatrical Violence, Fighting for Film, and Advanced Applications of Stage Combat. The School of Theatre and Dance at Columbia College Chicago houses majors in Acting for Stage and Screen (BA and BFA), Musical Theatre (BA and BFA), Comedy Writing and Performance (BA and BFA), Dance (BA), and Theatre Arts: Production and Practice (BA) with concentrations in Theatre Design & Technology, Directing, Stage Management, and Theatre Arts. With over 700 students, the School of Theatre and Dance’s mission is to provide undergraduate students with a comprehensive education in the practices and processes of creating theatre, dance, and live performance. The School of Theatre and Dance stages approximately 50 productions a year. Columbia College Chicago actively promotes, access to an expansive array of social and cultural theories, practices and perspectives that are vitally important to the successful delivery of a contemporary creative curriculum and the college’s mission to educate students who will author the culture of their times. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly and/or professional work contributes to a rich educational experience consistent with our mission. For more information please visit here.

Requirements

MFA or other degree in theatre/performing arts. Candidates with a post-secondary degree and significant professional experience at the highest level will also be considered.
Significant professional experience as a fight director or actor combatant.
Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience and college teaching experience are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Teach at the undergraduate level in areas assigned by the School Director.
Serve as the Fight Coordinator for the Theatre program (Acting, Comedy, and Musical Theatre).
Engage with the broader scholarly and professional communities.
Supervise, advise and mentor students.
Contribute to the development, planning, and implementation of a high-quality curriculum.
Commit to continuing professional development.
Provide service to the college, profession and community.
Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies.