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Human Resources

Tenure Track Assistant/Associate Professor of Music Theatre

Illinois Wesleyan University invites applications for the position of Assistant/Associate Professor of Music Theatre (Tenure Track). The position focuses on developing innovative curricula as well as contributing to the success of students, the School of Theatre Arts, and the university. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The start date for this position is August 15, 2024.

The School of Theatre Arts seeks candidates whose artistic achievement, teaching, and service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion in higher education. Diversity in our environment embraces the acceptance of a multiplicity of diverse backgrounds and worldviews. We translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience and expertise working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituencies. We believe that such experiences are both institutional and service imperatives. We encourage applications from individuals with demonstrated knowledge of and relevant abilities working with diverse communities.

The Music Theatre program at Illinois Wesleyan University has been ranked as one of the top musical theatre programs in the country for several years. The successful candidate must be able to continue to support the rigorous training of our students as well as lead the program to retain its strong reputation with the potential to take the program to the next level. The School of Theatre Arts supports four distinctive degrees: BFA Music Theatre, BFA Acting, BFA Theatre Design and Technology and BA Theatre Studies. Faculty and staff of all degrees work collaboratively to support the development of all students within SoTA. This position reports to the Director of the School of Theatre Arts.

Responsibilities:

Courses in the performance curriculum are taught in a one/two year rotation. Responsibility to deliver these courses is shared among the performance faculty. The person in this position must be able to provide instruction in several of the following areas: Acting, Directing, Audition Techniques, Acting the Song, Musical Theatre Scene Study, Musical Theatre Workshop, Musical Theatre History and Literature, Special topics in Musical Theatre.

While performance curriculum is the main focus of this position, the position responsibilities also include:

  • As head of the music theatre program, the successful candidate will provide leadership to continue the success of our students and to build the program to reflect current best practices.
    • Must demonstrate understanding/support of dance curriculum and development
    • Must demonstrate understanding/support of music education in a musical context
      • Traditional musical, new musical, pop, rock, voice amplification, etc.
  • Six-course teaching load per year divided between assignments of curriculum and directing one musical each year in the production season
  • Coordinate and create content for senior showcase in NYC each year (could be counted as part of the teaching load)
  • Collaborate with the university admissions team to ensure strong recruitment of students
  • Academic advising in the discipline
  • Professional advising of students as they transition to alumni/professionals in the field
  • Professional achievement and activity: Tenure track faculty are expected to maintain an active presence in the profession and pedagogy
  • School and University service

Benefits:

  • Generous health care plans available
  • Retirement plans offered after investiture period has been attained
  • Tuition benefits available after investiture period has been attained
  • Faculty development funds are available through campus grants
  • Sabbaticals are awarded to tenure track faculty as part of faculty
  • Pre-tenure faculty sabbatical is be available as part of faculty development
  • Modest start up packages are available

Qualifications:

  • MFA and/or Ph.D. in one or more of the following: Performance, Directing, Musical Theatre Scholarship or related field
  • Experience teaching at the undergraduate level
  • Connections to the professional theatre - especially in New York City and other major markets
  • Evidence of professional experience
  • Additional preferred qualifications may include membership with:
    • ATHE
    • MTEA
    • SDC
    • AEA/SAG/AFTRA

Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan University is a nationally ranked, small, private undergraduate liberal arts university with rigorous admission criteria and a tradition of teaching excellence emphasizing the integration of the liberal arts and professional education. We are located in Bloomington, IL, a metro area of 170,000 people, which is about a two or three-hour drive from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. We are strongly committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students. Illinois Wesleyan University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. An overview of IWU’s benefits can be found here:   https://www.iwu.edu/human-resources/current-employees.html.

All applications should be sent electronically. Please include in your cover letter a statement describing your perspectives on and experience with promoting inclusion; teaching statement; curriculum vita; graduate school transcripts; names and contact information for three or more references, or three letters of reference and portfolio or website address. Submit materials by February 15, 2024: Tom Quinn, Chair search committee, School of Theatre Arts, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL 61702-2900. tquinn@iwu.edu

For further information see http://www2.iwu.edu/iwujobs/Positions.shtml