Practitioner-in-Residence, Dance/Musical Theatre

The Theatre Department of Columbia College Chicago seeks applicants for a Practitioner in Residence position in dance for musical theatre for academic year 2022-2023 beginning in August 2022. This is a one-year appointment with the possibility of renewal for one additional year.

The successful candidate will have significant experience in professional theatre as a musical theatre choreographer/dance coach. They will be familiar with a broad range of dance techniques inclusive of the following genres– musical theatre dance, modern, jazz, ballet, tap, African, hip-hop. They will have the scholarly background to instruct students in the foundational knowledge and skills of the discipline while introducing them to a diverse repertoire of theatrical styles and genres.  They will have expertise in working in collaboration with designers, musical directors and directors, and have an understanding of the integration of consent and boundaries in class work, rehearsals and performance. Successful applicants will have expertise and experience in integrating inclusive policies and equitable classroom practices into their work in the classroom as well as in productions and be willing to share that knowledge with the department as we work to integrate these practices throughout our curriculum and practices.

In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates must exhibit excellent teaching and scholarly credentials, demonstrate the ability to foster a welcoming, equitable environment, and be passionate about undergraduate education.

The Theatre Department at Columbia College Chicago houses majors in Acting (BA and BFA), Musical Theatre (BA and BFA), Comedy Writing and Performance, Design and Technology, and concentrations in Directing, Playwriting, Stage Management and Theatre Studies. With over 800 students, the Theatre Department’s mission is to provide undergraduate students with a comprehensive education in the practices and processes of creating theatre and live performance. In addition to its majors, the department offers minors in Acting, Stage Combat, Theatre Directing, Playwriting, and Devising for Collaborative Performance. The department works actively to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion as vitally important to the making of theatre and the educational experiences of its students, and seeks to root out discrimination of all kinds in classes and productions.

The School of Fine and Performing Arts (SFPA) houses academic programs in visual arts, performing arts, and business, entrepreneurship, and marketing. Home to more than 110 full-time faculty and over 3,000 students, the SFPA community is deeply committed to rigorous exploration of a wide range of artistic practices and economies, within an inclusive curriculum characterized by a strong focus on a diversity of contemporary styles and current industry trends. Across SFPA, we challenge the next generation of artists, scholars, managers, performers, designers, makers, and entrepreneurs to master the skills and interrogate the foundations of their creative disciplines; imagine new futures; and contribute to the vibrant arts communities of Chicago and beyond, imagine new futures; and contribute to the vibrant arts communities of Chicago and beyond.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach four courses per semester at the undergraduate level in Musical Theatre and other areas assigned by the Department Chair and Musical Theatre Coordinator. These courses may include Creating a Performance; Musical Theatre Workshop; Musical Theatre Dance 1,2,3; Musical Theatre Foundations: Dance, Tap; and Auditioning for Musical Theatre
• Advise and mentor students.
• Contribute to the development, planning and implementation of a high-quality, inclusive curriculum in the BA/BFA musical theatre program, consistent with the college’s commitment to equity and social justice.
• Engage with the broader scholarly and professional communities.
• Commit to continuing professional development.
• Provide service to the college, profession, and community.
• Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies.

We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly and/or professional work aligns with our commitment to dismantling systems of privilege and oppression. All faculty members are expected to advance the College's DEI mission. For more information on the office of Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion please visit: colum.edu/diversity.

Required Qualifications

• MFA, or other terminal degree in musical theatre performance and/or musical theatre choreography
• Significant professional experience as a dancer, performer, and/or choreographer in the area of Musical Theatre

Desired Qualifications

• Undergraduate teaching experience.

Application 
To apply for this position, submit the following materials online: 

• A cover letter outlining the applicant’s background, qualifications, and vision for the position
• A teaching philosophy statement
• A curriculum vitae
• An Evidence of Inclusive Excellence Statement describing actions you have taken to support and advance diversity, equity, access and inclusion in service, teaching, or research/creative activity.  Please be succinct with your response
• Contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior consultation with the applicant

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, apply by April 25, 2022.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

About the College

Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit college for creatives serving nearly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Located in downtown Chicago’s South Loop, the College is centered in one of the world's liveliest urban cultural areas. Its many competitive advantages include its strong reputation in the creative industries, outstanding faculty and passionate students, impressive technological and physical resources, and a sincere commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences into proximity with each other to shape new forms of creative practice.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to a background screening.
• This is a non-union position.
• This position is overtime exempt.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.