Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Musical Theatre

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Florida School of Theatre and Dance seeks an Assistant or Associate Professor of Musical Theatre to provide collaborative leadership for the BFA Musical Theatre program through teaching, creative and professional practice, student mentorship, recruitment, and service. The faculty member will teach undergraduate courses from introductory through advanced levels, mentor BFA Musical Theatre and Acting students, and contribute to curriculum development, assessment, recruitment, and retention. The role includes preparing students for professional auditions and performance, guiding the coordination and continued development of the Musical Theatre program, and contributing to the School’s production season by directing fall musical and/or concert musical productions as assigned. The successful candidate will work collaboratively across acting, voice/music, and dance curricula and with faculty, staff, guest artists, production personnel, and student artists. The position calls for an active professional practice and connections to relevant professional markets, a strong commitment to undergraduate education and collegial collaboration, and participation in advising, shared governance, academic and professional service, campus outreach, and donor-relations activities. Recruitment activities may require travel. The ideal candidate will help shape the future of musical theatre training, prepare students for an evolving profession, and demonstrate technological fluency across contemporary digital environments. This position is covered by the United Faculty of Florida Contract. The expected salary is $70,000–$78,000 for an Assistant Professor and $84,000–$92,000 for an Associate Professor, commensurate with experience. Application review begins December 1, 2026; full consideration requires submission by December 14, 2026.

Requirements

Terminal degree (MFA or PhD) in Musical Theatre, Theatre, Acting, or a closely related field.
Potential for a record of achievement in the field at a national or international level, in alignment with the unit’s tenure and promotion criteria.
Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate Musical Theatre performance.
Demonstrated ability to prepare students for Musical Theatre auditions and professional performance, including traditional and contemporary Musical Theatre, pop/rock, acting through song, and monologue coaching.
Demonstrated experience directing Musical Theatre productions.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, guest artists, production personnel, and student artists.
Demonstrated ability to mentor undergraduate students in academic, artistic, and professional development.
Demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate education and student-centered mentorship.
Demonstrated commitment to teaching practices that reflect current and evolving professional practices and prepare students for a changing field.
Evidence of skill designing and facilitating academic work that advances curiosity, respect, open intellectual discourse, and the welcome incorporation and well-being of all in an environment of complex differences.
Candidates for Assistant Professor must hold the highest degree appropriate to the field or possess equivalent qualifications based on professional experience, and demonstrate successful relevant experience and qualities aligned with the academic unit’s goals.
Candidates for Associate Professor must hold the highest degree appropriate to the field or possess professional qualifications above the equivalent of that degree; demonstrate creative work, professional writing or research, and successful teaching or professional experience; and have a distinguished record of achievement beyond the Assistant Professor level.
Eligibility to work in the United States.
The selected candidate must provide an official transcript upon hire; degrees earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES-approved credential evaluation service.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of university-level Musical Theatre teaching experience beyond graduate assistantship, or comparable substantial teaching experience.
Demonstrated ability to teach in a secondary area such as acting, directing, Musical Theatre history, or related areas.
Professional experience and established connections within regional, national, and/or professional Musical Theatre markets.
Evidence of artistic or professional development through ongoing creative or professional activity.
Experience with curriculum development, program assessment, recruitment, retention, or academic program growth.
Leadership ability, including capacity to contribute to coordination and development of a Musical Theatre program.
Demonstrated ability to recruit and retain School of Theatre and Dance majors.
Commitment to innovative and cross-disciplinary curricula.
Experience navigating a multidisciplinary higher education setting.
Aptitude for working toward structural and strategic change.
Organizational, management, and communication experience in higher education.
Technological fluency and adaptability, including ability to independently navigate digital tools and platforms used in higher education, administration, communication, collaboration, Musical Theatre training, auditioning, professional preparation, and the performing arts industry.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate Musical Theatre courses at beginning through advanced levels, including performance, scene study, professional preparation, audition techniques, acting through song, history, and workshops as appropriate.
Teach beginning and intermediate acting and introductory directing as appropriate.
Mentor BFA Musical Theatre and Acting students in academic, artistic, and career planning.
Prepare students for professional auditions, including traditional and contemporary Musical Theatre, pop/rock, monologue work, and acting through song.
Contribute to curriculum development, assessment, and program development, including innovative connections between the arts and critical discourse in other disciplines.
Prepare students to use contemporary digital tools and platforms for auditioning, self-promotion, networking, portfolio development, and career development.
Direct the fall musical and/or concert musical productions as assigned and contribute to the School’s production season through coaching or other professional expertise.
Maintain active professional practice and connections appropriate to the field, bringing current professional practices into the classroom and production environment.
Recruit promising students and participate in School of Theatre and Dance recruitment activities; contribute to recruitment and retention initiatives.
Develop and maintain relationships with professional and regional markets relevant to Musical Theatre students.
Provide collaborative leadership in the coordination, strategic development, and continued growth of the Musical Theatre program.
Participate in campus outreach and donor-relations activities as appropriate.
Collaborate with School and College colleagues and with directors, choreographers, designers, accompanists, production personnel, guest artists, and student artists.
Participate in School, College, University, and professional service; attend faculty meetings; contribute to shared governance, advising, and other University responsibilities.
Contribute to a collegial, collaborative, and inclusive School community and perform other duties appropriate to the position as assigned by the School Director.