Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in Musical Theatre

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

3d•$70,000 - $92,000•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 its BFA Musical Theatre program through teaching, creative and professional practice, student mentorship, recruitment, and service. The successful candidate will bring professional musical theatre performance experience, including work in established regional, national, touring, commercial, or comparable professional markets, and the ability to support undergraduate students’ artistic, academic, and professional development. The faculty member will teach undergraduate courses from introductory through advanced levels, including musical theatre performance and scene study, professional preparation, audition techniques, musical theatre history, acting through song, and other subjects aligned with the candidate’s expertise and the School’s needs. Teaching may also include beginning and intermediate acting, introductory directing, theatre studies, or UF Quest courses. The role includes mentoring BFA Musical Theatre and Acting students, preparing them for professional auditions and performance, and contributing to curriculum development, assessment, and program development. The successful candidate will help coordinate and develop the Musical Theatre program in collaboration with faculty colleagues, working across acting, voice/music, and dance curricula. They will contribute to the School’s production season by directing fall musical and/or concert musical productions as assigned, and by providing coaching or other professional expertise. They will maintain an active professional practice and professional connections, and bring current professional practices into the classroom and production environment. The position also includes recruiting and advising students; supporting recruitment, retention, and program growth; collaborating with colleagues and production artists; and participating in School, College, University, and professional service, shared governance, campus outreach, and donor-relations activities. The successful candidate will contribute to a collegial and inclusive community and demonstrate technological fluency in contemporary digital environments relevant to teaching, communication, administration, auditions, and professional preparation. The position is covered by the United Faculty of Florida Contract. The University of Florida offers health, dental, and vision plans; optional insurance plans; vacation, sick, personal, and paid holidays; paid family leave; retirement plans; and employee discounts.

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, aligned 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 collaborate 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 undergraduate education and student-centered mentorship.
Demonstrated commitment to teaching practices reflecting current and evolving professional practices and preparing 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.
For Assistant Professor rank, the candidate must hold the highest degree appropriate to the field or possess equivalent professional qualifications, and demonstrate successful relevant experience and qualities aligned with the academic unit’s goals.
For Associate Professor rank, the candidate must hold the highest degree appropriate to the field or possess professional qualifications above the equivalent of that degree, have produced creative work, professional writing, or research and successful teaching or professional experience, and have a distinguished record of achievement beyond the Assistant Professor level.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of university-level Musical Theatre teaching experience beyond graduate assistantship, or comparable substantial teaching experience.
Ability to teach 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.
Ongoing creative or professional activity demonstrating artistic or professional development.
Experience with curriculum development, program assessment, recruitment, retention, or academic program growth.
Leadership ability and capacity to contribute to coordination and development of a Musical Theatre program.
Ability to recruit and retain School of Theatre and Dance majors.
Commitment to innovative and cross-disciplinary curricula.
Experience in 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 with digital tools for higher education, academic 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 and 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 and performance, including traditional and contemporary musical theatre, pop/rock, monologues, and acting through song.
Contribute to curriculum development, assessment, and program development.
Participate actively in the School’s learning community and connect the arts to 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 fall musical and/or concert musical productions as assigned, and contribute coaching or other professional expertise to the production season.
Maintain active professional practice and professional connections, and bring current professional practices into teaching and production.
Recruit promising students and participate in School 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 coordinating and developing the Musical Theatre program.
Participate in academic advising, campus outreach, donor-relations activities, and School, College, University, and professional service.
Collaborate with faculty, staff, production personnel, guest artists, and student artists across academic and production areas.
Attend faculty meetings, participate in shared governance, and contribute to a collegial, collaborative, and inclusive School community.
Perform other duties appropriate to the position and assigned by the School Director.