Assistant Professor of Applied Theatre

The School of Theatre at Oklahoma City University invites culturally and academically diverse applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Applied Theatre beginning August 2021.

OCU is committed to building a diverse and inclusive faculty, staff, and student body. We welcome applications from members of groups traditionally underrepresented in the faculties of higher education institutions. The School of Theatre is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and are aligned with our university’s overarching vision and mission. Further, we aspire to engage in our work in equitable and inclusive ways, and desire to work with a team member who is committed to our university’s and Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s strategic goals.

Teaching, Scholarship, and Service Requirements

The successful candidate will join our professional artistic community and teach within the BA Theatre program. They will teach courses in an inventive program designed to develop reflective artists who will be innovators in their discipline and be able to manage themselves and others in the fast-evolving field of live performance, new media, and technical theatre arts.

Training for the BA Theatre program centers on culturally sensitive and globally aware interdisciplinary work ground in innovation, personal vision and the creative process in traditional venues and beyond. Duties include teaching core courses in devised, ensemble-based story creation; serve as mentor to students; assist in forging and maintaining relationships with regional and international partners; assist in managing and facilitating study abroad opportunities; collaborating on the annual student capstone and BA Festival of New Works.

Positive tenure and promotion decisions require excellent teaching; an exceptional record of creative/scholarly activity in the discipline; strong service contributions to the school, university, and relevant external professional organizations that serve the broader discipline’s communities. The successful candidate is expected to participate in the School's assessment program, and in student recruiting and retention efforts for the School and University.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants with an earned terminal degree in theatre, MFA or Ph.D. will be considered; previous university level teaching experience preferred. Applicants should have significant professional experience as a theatre artist and a passion for teaching and mentoring undergraduate students within a rigorous pre-professional training program. We are seeking applicants with experience in at least three of the following areas: Directing or Producing New Works, Theatre for Social Change, Devising, Performance Theory and Practice, Dramaturgy and/or Playwriting.

School of Theatre

The School of Theatre offers comprehensive and diverse undergraduate focused programs with tracks in professional and applied theatre training. At the undergraduate level we offer a BFA in Acting, BFA in Design and Production, and a BA in Theatre in a program that has gained a national reputation and currently has a steady population of over 200 majors. A new MFA in Screen Acting with year-one in Los Angeles and year-two in London at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts begins January 2021. The School of Theatre is a part of the Margaret E. Petree College of Performing Arts which includes the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment and the Wanda L. Bass School of Music. TheatreOCU is the School of Theatre’s producing arm, mounting four mainstage and 7-8 lab productions each season. Design and Production also supports the Opera & Musical Theatre program which produces three musicals and three operas each year. The school has partnerships with three local professional theatre companies: Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, Lyric Theatre and Oklahoma City Ballet. The Design and Production area has been ranked in the Top 30 College Theatre Design/Tech programs by OnStage Blog for the past two years.

The School of Theatre prepares young theatre artists for a sustainable, professional life. Our faculty inspire undergraduate students in a rigorous, disciplined, and collaborative academic and production environment. Our program is grounded in the philosophy of putting theory into practice from the classroom to the stage to produce creative, culturally aware, and highly effective theatrical artists. More information on our programs and productions can be found at: www.okcu.edu/theatre

About Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City University was founded in 1904 and is a coeducational, urban, private university located in the Uptown district of Oklahoma City. The university is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and offers a wide variety of degrees in the liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Oklahoma City University is the only Oklahoma institution listed in the top tier of the regional, master's-level university category by U.S. News and World Report magazine.

Employee Benefits

The faculty of OCU are afforded a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to fit the needs of you and your family.  Benefits offered include: health (medical, dental and vision) insurance, flexible spending accounts, university paid life insurance, university paid long-term disability insurance, retirement plans, and tuition remission for employees and qualifying dependents who wish to take classes or pursue a degree at OCU.

Required Application Materials

All applications submitted must include:

• CV and Cover Letter with Professional References listed
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Unofficial Transcripts

Contact for Additional Questions

• Search Chair: Rick Reeves, Artist-in-Residence: Digital Media & Design, rwreeves@okcu.edu
• Diversity Advocate: Courtney DiBello, Associate Professor of Stage Management, cmdibello@okcu.edu  

Oklahoma City University is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the values and goals of diversity.