Assistant Professor of Theatre

Northeastern Illinois University • Chicago, IL

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Communication, Media and Theatre at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Theatre position beginning in August 2027. The department is located in Chicago, a major theatre market. The successful candidate will bring strong professional artistic craft in playwriting and theatrical literature/criticism and teach undergraduate and graduate theatre courses in these areas and related subjects.

The position will collaborate with Stage Center Theatre as it develops a home for dynamic new playwriting voices. The professor may serve as a producer or director for mainstage productions and may take on leadership roles such as Artistic Producer for Stage Center Theatre, Director of the CMT Graduate Program, or Community Partnership Facilitator. The role also includes student advising and service to the department, college, university, and profession.

The successful candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary department committed to teaching excellence, bring a professional practice emphasizing storytelling that catalyzes social change, and use an approach to craft that amplifies traditionally marginalized voices. The candidate must be able and willing to teach face-to-face courses, sometimes at multiple NEIU campuses, and hold face-to-face office hours on campus. The position requires a background check.

The salary range is $65,000–$68,000. University employees may be eligible for State of Illinois benefits, including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System. The position is contingent upon the University's receipt of its State of Illinois appropriation.

Requirements

• M.F.A. in Playwriting or a related area such as Directing or Acting, with applicable experience working with new plays.
• Alternatively, a Ph.D. in Theatre or Performance Studies will be considered with a significant record of professional artistic practice in playwriting, new play development, producing, and/or directing.
• Demonstrated ability or strong potential for effective teaching in a diverse higher education setting.
• Ability and willingness to teach face-to-face courses, sometimes at multiple NEIU campuses, and hold face-to-face office hours on campus.
• Valid U.S. work authorization and current residence and physical presence in the United States; applicants who would need consular processing to obtain an H-1B visa from outside the United States are not eligible for consideration.
• Ability to pass a background check.

Nice To Haves

• Evidence of effective teaching and theatrical craft or production using culturally responsive practices.
• Evidence of professional artistic achievement in playwriting and new play development; bilingual or multilingual writing experience is a plus.
• Evidence of continuing creative work and/or research commensurate with earning tenure at NEIU.
• Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge of arts administration at the professional and/or academic levels.
• Evidence of service and ability to contribute to the department, university, profession, and community.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and graduate theatre courses in playwriting, theatrical literature/criticism, and related areas.
• Collaborate with Stage Center Theatre in its focus on developing dynamic new playwriting voices.
• May serve as producer or director for mainstage productions.
• May take on leadership roles such as Artistic Producer for Stage Center Theatre, Director of the CMT Graduate Program, or Community Partnership Facilitator.
• Advise students.
• Provide service to the department, college, university, profession, and community.
• Contribute to an interdisciplinary department committed to teaching excellence and storytelling that catalyzes social change.
• Teach face-to-face courses, potentially at multiple NEIU campuses, and hold face-to-face office hours on campus.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for State of Illinois benefits, including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

What This Job Offers

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