Professor of Musical Theatre

Indiana Wesleyan University • Marion, IA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Professor of Musical Theatre provides academic and artistic leadership for Indiana Wesleyan University's proposed Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre and Theatre minor. This full-time faculty member oversees curriculum development, student advising, and program growth and serves as Artistic Director of the Division's theatrical programming, including the annual fall play and spring musical. Working with faculty, staff, and guest artists, the role cultivates a rigorous, collaborative, and Christ-centered learning environment that prepares students for excellence in theatrical performance and meaningful service through the arts. The successful candidate will articulate and advance a vision for the continued development of musical theatre and theatre at IWU.

The position supervises the full-time technical director of theatre, theatre student workers, and guest artists. It teaches undergraduate courses, advises students, directs productions, coordinates production operations, and contributes to the academic and institutional life of the Division of Music and Theatre. The position begins in Fall 2027 and is based at the Phillippe Performing Arts Center in Marion, Indiana.

Applicants must demonstrate personal faith in Jesus Christ, full agreement with Wesleyan-Arminian theology, and commitment to liberal arts learning and the integration of Christian faith and learning. All employees must have a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

Requirements

• Master's degree in musical theatre, theatre, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience directing musical theatre productions at the collegiate, semi-professional, or professional level.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with music directors, choreographers, designers, and other technical personnel.
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a teacher.
• Demonstrated organizational and administrative experience in theatrical production, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and coordination of artistic personnel.
• Leadership and administrative capacity.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills for working effectively with faculty, staff, and students in a multidisciplinary academic environment.
• Commitment to mentoring undergraduate students in an academic setting.
• Attention to detail.
• Familiarity with collegiate musical theatre production processes.
• Strong Christian commitment and adherence to the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.
• Personal faith in Jesus Christ, full agreement with Wesleyan-Arminian theology, and commitment to liberal arts learning and integrating Christian faith and learning.

Nice To Haves

• Terminal degree in musical theatre, theatre, directing, or a closely related field.
• Collegiate teaching experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Artistic Director of the Division's theatrical programming and oversee the artistic vision and quality of all theatrical productions.
• Direct theatrical productions and collaborate with faculty directors, music directors, choreographers, designers, and guest artists.
• Work with the Division Chair and faculty on season selection, balancing artistic quality, educational value, production feasibility, and institutional mission.
• Coordinate production design, planning, execution, and safety with the Technical Director.
• Foster a collaborative, Christ-centered artistic environment that promotes professional standards, student mentorship, and artistic excellence.
• Lead curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement for the proposed BA in Musical Theatre and Theatre minor in collaboration with divisional faculty.
• Teach undergraduate courses in musical theatre, theatre, and music according to divisional needs, expertise, and assigned workload.
• Advise students enrolled in the proposed BA in Musical Theatre and Theatre minor.
• Maintain professional engagement through scholarship, creative activity, and continued artistic development.
• Integrate Christian faith and artistic practice through teaching and mentorship.
• Oversee auditions, callbacks, casting, and production scheduling.
• Develop and manage production budgets with the Division Chair and Technical Director.
• Coordinate production logistics, including licensing, personnel, and resource allocation.
• Oversee hiring and coordination of contracted artistic personnel as needed and in accordance with university policies.
• Collaborate with university personnel to promote theatrical productions and related events.
• Assess theatrical facility, equipment, and staffing needs with the Division Chair.
• Develop and advance a strategic vision for the growth and long-term sustainability of musical theatre and theatre at IWU.
• Support student recruitment, retention, and program development in collaboration with the Division Chair and faculty.
• Represent the program through recruitment events, auditions, outreach, and relationships with schools, theatres, alumni, and community partners.
• Develop opportunities for student artistic engagement beyond mainstage productions.
• Participate in divisional faculty meetings, committee assignments, assessment activities, and institutional initiatives.
• Fulfill university expectations for faculty teaching, professional development, scholarship or creative activity, and institutional service.
• Perform other duties reasonably related to the position as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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