Assistant Professor of Theatre

Internal • Bellingham, WA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Western Washington University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Theatre position beginning September 16, 2027. This role is for a dynamic, collaborative, energetic, creative, and empathetic artist-teacher to join an undergraduate-focused theatre department that blends liberal arts strengths with professional practice rigor. The successful candidate will contribute to cultivating inclusive and equitable learning and creative environments. Responsibilities include teaching introductory and advanced theatre and performance courses, primarily Introduction to Theatre, Directing, and Theatre Education, and potentially others to support the curriculum. The position also involves directing productions for the department's mainstage season and actively collaborating with faculty, mentoring students, and contributing to the department's vitality. The teaching load is 27-30 credits over three quarters annually. The candidate must have a demonstrated record of activity in theatre practice and/or scholarship, a passion for working with undergraduate students in a liberal arts setting, and will be expected to fulfill recruiting, advising, teaching, and mentoring duties that ensure equitable and inclusive learning environments. Service activities for the department, college, and university are also required, along with maintaining an ongoing practice of creative and/or scholarly activity.

Requirements

• MFA in Acting, Performance, Directing, Playwrighting or closely related field at time of application; or PhD in Theatre Arts or closely related field at time of application.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate learning and working environments that are equitable and inclusive of students and employees with diverse cultural backgrounds and social identities.
• Evidence of successful teaching experience in higher education, and/or commensurate professional experience.
• Record of creative activity and/or scholarship related to theatre arts.
• Demonstrated effective skills in collaboration and communication.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience in and enthusiasm for teaching Directing, Theatre Education, and a large Introduction to Theatre survey course to majors and non-majors.
• Additional demonstrated expertise in an area of the candidate’s interest related to theatre.
• Evidence of successful experience in directing.
• Evidence of successful creative activity in professional venues.
• The ability to work and collaborate across disciplines: outside the arts, across campus, and in the community.
• Experience in curriculum development.
• A dedication to a liberal arts educational model compatible with the mission of WWU.

Responsibilities

• Teaching introductory and advanced courses in theatre and performance, primarily Introduction to Theatre, Directing, and Theatre Education, and may include other courses to support our curriculum.
• Directing productions in the department’s mainstage season.
• Collaborating with fellow faculty.
• Mentoring students.
• Fulfilling recruiting, advising, teaching, and mentoring responsibilities that provide equitable and inclusive learning environments for all students.
• Participating in service activities for the department, college, and university.
• Maintaining an ongoing practice of creative and/or scholarly activity in the discipline.

Benefits

• Relocation assistance may be available per University guidelines.
• Salary and start-up funds are to be determined upon being offered the position.

What This Job Offers

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