Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre

Utah State University•Logan, UT

About The Position

The Department of Theatre Arts at Utah State University seeks a collaborative artist-educator to teach across the core Musical Theatre curriculum, provide instruction in voice and speech, dialects, and Musical Theatre history, and serve as Music Director for departmental productions and related educational projects. The role helps develop the BFA Musical Theatre program by connecting classroom instruction with rehearsal, performance, and professional preparation. The successful candidate will center student success in teaching, mentoring, creative work, and recruitment, and contribute to a collaborative theatre community and the College’s educational and creative mission. In keeping with USU’s land-grant mission, the faculty member will connect disciplinary expertise with educational opportunities and community engagement. The faculty member will teach undergraduate courses that may include acting, directing, voice, dialects, Musical Theatre history, repertoire development, and performance studio or laboratory courses. They will design learning outcomes, provide feedback, assess student progress, adapt instruction, and collaborate on curriculum development and assessment. As Music Director for assigned productions, the faculty member may prepare scores, coach vocals, lead ensemble rehearsals, and coordinate with artistic and production colleagues. They will maintain a program of research and/or creative activity appropriate to a tenure-track appointment and integrate creative practice into student learning. The position includes mentoring undergraduate students in academic and artistic development, projects, experiential learning, audition preparation, and career planning; supporting students’ progress toward graduation; and fostering a respectful, supportive classroom and rehearsal environment. Graduate mentorship may be assigned where applicable, based on available programs, assignments, and faculty eligibility. Additional duties include student recruitment, departmental and university service, collaboration across disciplines, and developing community engagement opportunities. Course assignments and teaching load will be established through the approved role statement; graduate responsibilities will be established with the Department Head and relevant graduate program leadership.

Requirements

Earned terminal degree appropriate to the discipline, such as an MFA, DMA, or PhD in Acting, Musical Theatre, Theatre, Music, or a closely related field, completed by the appointment start date.
Minimum two years of university-level teaching experience after graduate school.
Demonstrated ability to teach core Musical Theatre performance courses and additional courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise; evidence may include university teaching, professional training, workshops, coaching, or comparable educational practice.
Musical Theatre Music Direction experience, including score preparation, vocal coaching, and leadership of ensemble rehearsals.
Functional keyboard proficiency sufficient to support Musical Theatre coaching and rehearsal.
Record of creative and/or scholarly work and a viable agenda appropriate to an Assistant Professor appointment.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with performers, directors, choreographers, musicians, and other colleagues.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to teach one or more areas including acting, directing, voice and speech for actors, dialects, and Musical Theatre history; breadth across these areas is particularly desirable.
Evidence of effective instruction and mentoring, with a clear commitment to student learning, student success, and constructive feedback.
Successful college-level teaching across multiple areas of the Musical Theatre curriculum.
Professional Musical Theatre Music Direction experience.
Experience conducting instrumental ensembles or coordinating pit musicians.
Experience with contemporary Musical Theatre styles and singing voice pedagogy.
Experience developing curriculum or contributing to a growing degree program.
Experience mentoring student creative projects, capstones, or professional preparation.
Evidence of effective student recruitment and outreach to schools, educators, or community arts organizations.
Experience with arranging, notation software, or rehearsal technology that supports teaching and production work.
Experience connecting artistic practice with community engagement and expanded access to arts education.

Responsibilities

Teach core undergraduate Musical Theatre courses, potentially including acting, directing, voice, dialects, Musical Theatre history, repertoire development, and performance studio or laboratory courses.
Design learning outcomes, provide constructive feedback, assess student progress, and adapt instruction to students’ preparation and learning needs.
Collaborate with the Head of Musical Theatre on curriculum development, course sequencing, and ongoing assessment of student learning.
Serve as Music Director for assigned departmental musicals and related performance projects, including score preparation, vocal coaching, ensemble rehearsals, and coordination with artistic and production personnel.
Establish and sustain research and/or creative activity appropriate to a tenure-track appointment.
Integrate creative practice into student learning and create opportunities for student participation in rehearsal, performance, and experiential learning.
Mentor undergraduate students in academic and artistic development, creative projects, experiential learning, audition preparation, and career planning.
Help students connect coursework with production experiences and professional goals, collaborating with academic advisors and campus resources to support progress toward graduation.
Foster a respectful, supportive classroom and rehearsal environment with high expectations, clear communication, sustainable vocal practice, and attention to student wellbeing.
As applicable, mentor graduate students on creative or scholarly projects, professional development, and committee service.
Participate in student recruitment through auditions, prospective-student events, outreach to secondary schools and educators, and regional or national recruitment opportunities.
Collaborate with Theatre Arts colleagues and related disciplines and contribute to departmental, College, University, and professional service.
Develop educational and community engagement opportunities connecting Musical Theatre training with USU’s land-grant mission and expanding access to the arts.