Assistant Professor in Acting Pedagogy, Directing, Cultural Studies - University of Oregon

Department: Theatre Arts
Rank: Assistant Professor
Annual Basis: 9 Month

Application Deadline

January 6, 2025 (updated), first consideration, until filled.

Required Application Materials

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Writing sample of 20-25 pages
• Research Statement
• Teaching Statement
• Diversity Statement discussing, with specific examples, past, present, and future contributions to equity and inclusion in your research, teaching, and (if applicable to current professional stage) service and mentoring.
• Contact information for three references. Please be sure to enter email addresses for your references accurately as we’ll be reaching out directly to them to request letters of recommendation for candidates that advance in the search.

Position Announcement

The Department of Theater Arts at the University of Oregon is working to hire a tenure-track assistant professor in the areas of Acting, Directing, and Theatre Studies. PhD and MFA or MA in relevant fields required by September 16, 2025. We are especially interested in candidates who engage in acting and directing theory through aesthetic practices broadly applied in both classroom and production processes. We look to build expertise in areas including (but not limited to) acting theories grounded in foundations of realism (Stanislavski, Meisner, Practical Aesthetics), yet infused with other approaches (Classical Acting, Clown, Improvisation, Viewpoints), directing methodologies (Stanislavski, Kazan, Richards, Mitchell), as well as topical theatre studies built upon present research strengths at Oregon, including (but not limited to) Critical Race Theory, postcolonial/decolonial thought, BIPOC/intercultural theatre, postmodern theatre, environmental humanities. For this appointment, we seek applicants with demonstrated potential for outstanding research and teaching at all levels, graduate and undergraduate. The successful candidate will teach acting, directing, theatre history, and other undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as direct one University Theatre mainstage production each season. Teaching may include introductory undergraduate courses such as TA 250 (Introduction to Acting), TA 367 (History of Theater), TA 452 (Advanced Acting Topics), TA 472 (Multicultural Theatre/rotating topics), and related classes on dramatic literature, as well as graduate seminars in Theater Arts congruent with the hire’s research profile. Mentoring undergraduate will include major/minor advising, production processes, and some professional development instances. Mentoring graduate research is a key aspect of service in this unit, which also includes serving on graduate student qualifying exam and dissertation committees.

Department or Program Summary

The Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Oregon believes in the value of theatre as a mode of cultural formation. We not only teach the theory, history, and literature of the field, we also teach design, technology, stagecraft, and performance methods for creating theatre on a stage before an audience. Our research informs our art-making and art-making fuels our research. Our practices are based on methods of analysis, creation, performance, and critique. In addition to the historic theatre canon, the department also has a strong commitment to exploring contemporary theatre through dramatic literature, playwriting, performance styles, sustainable theatre creation, gender and sexuality studies, critical race theory, post-colonial studies, community-based performance, and comparisons of subjects across cultures. As collaboration and inclusiveness is the basis of all our work, we support a diversity of voices, backgrounds, and perspectives. All are welcome here.

Minimum Requirements

• PhD in Theatre Studies or Theatre and Performance Studies, with an Acting or Directing emphasis, AND
• MA or MFA in Theatre Studies or Theatre and Performance Studies

About the University

The University of Oregon is one of only two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities and holds a distinguished ranking in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO enrolls more than 20,000 undergraduate and 3,600 graduate students representing all 50 states and nearly 100 countries. In recent years, the university has increased the diversity of its student body, as well as campus-wide efforts to build a welcoming, inclusive community for our student body. The UO’s 295-acre campus features state-of-the art facilities in an arboretum-like setting within the traditional homelands of the Kalapuya people. The UO is located in Eugene, a vibrant city of 157,000 with a wide range of cultural and culinary offerings, a pleasant climate, and a community engaged in environmental and social concerns. The campus is within easy driving distance of the Pacific Coast, the Cascade Mountains, and Portland.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit https://hr.uoregon.edu/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

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