Assistant Professor of Communication, Media, and Performance

Summary of Position:

The Department of Communication, Media, and Performance at Allegheny College invites applicants for a tenure-track theatre position beginning August 2027. Qualifications include M.F.A. in Acting or Directing, or Ph.D. in Theatre. Teaching responsibilities include courses in acting and directing. Our new colleague will direct annually in the Gladys Mullenix Black Theatre, a technically sophisticated facility housed in the award-winning Vukovich Center for Communication Arts. Other desired areas may include acting for the camera, script analysis, introduction to theatre, community-based performance, and devised performance. The department offers a BA in Theatre, situated within the college’s strong liberal arts curriculum. All Allegheny faculty share in delivering college-wide first- and second-year seminars, advising Senior Projects, academic advising, and participating in shared governance and service to the campus community. Teaching load is 3/3 with an annual course release for directing a mainstage production; additional course releases are earned through Senior Project advising.

Essential Job Functions

• Teach a full-time faculty load, which includes teaching college-wide general education courses
• Direct one production annually in the Gladys Mullenix Black Theatre.
• Provide high quality instruction in all courses, identifying and developing creative, challenging, and evidence-based learning opportunities for students
• Assess student learning in all classes and implement changes to demonstrate continuous improvement and student mastery of course learning outcomes. Be an exemplary professional role model for students inside and outside of the classroom and as a colleague
• Design new courses and curricula, as necessary, including some courses that may be taught online or using hyflex methods. 
• Collaborate with other members of the faculty to develop/refine the curriculum, teaching, and evaluation methods needed for effective delivery of the curriculum, including creating, developing, and evaluating innovative teaching methods that prepare students for careers and lives of civic engagement
• Participate in faculty governance, including attending meetings—full faculty, college, department, and committee—and fulfilling attendant responsibilities
• Meet assigned classes regularly, beginning and ending class sessions as scheduled
• Serve as an academic advisor
• Work in a professional and team-oriented manner with faculty, staff, and administrators
• Develop a robust scholarly and/or creative agenda to maintain contemporary expertise in the field
• Provide service to the department, the institution and/or the field. 
• Maintain compliance with the academic calendar, the weekly schedules, and with policies and procedures in the Faculty Handbook, the Employee Handbook and the student Honor Code

Secondary Job functions

• Directing and attending non-class activities, as necessary
• Developing course syllabi and teaching plans
• Supporting students’ personal and professional development 
• Maintaining office hours, as appropriate 
• Participating in the development, assessment, and revision of program and curricula as required
• Assisting programmatic assessment and accreditation reports as needed, including any external 

accreditation reporting required by the program

• Recruiting future Theatre students, which includes auditioning Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship applicants
• Executing limited administrative responsibilities as assigned
• Complying with accreditation and federal mandates that govern educational policies

Qualifications

Education and Credentials (Required)

• Earned MFA in Acting or Directing or doctorate in Theatre with significant performance background.
• Knowledge and experience sufficient to enable the candidate to effectively teach courses as assigned in acting and directing. Preferential consideration may be given to candidates with prior college teaching experience 
• A commitment to fostering an environment of inclusion excellence among students, faculty, and staff

Experience and Knowledge (Preferred)

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to deliver course content and to assist students in understanding course content
• Ability to evaluate student writing and to provide effective feedback
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with students, faculty, staff, and administrators
• Ability to adapt to changing teaching and learning environments and content-delivery methods
• Effective presentation skills
• Effective organizational and administrative skills
• Ability to work cooperatively with faculty colleagues, in the best interests of the students
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities, meet deadlines, and respond to students’ legitimate needs in a timely manner
• Ability and willingness to work with students of all skill levels and academic backgrounds
• Ability and willingness to perform clerical work for oneself, as necessary
• Basic leadership, budgetary and supervisory skills
• Proficient in spoken and written English
• Computer proficiency in word processing, Google tools, e-mail and internet use and in using the institution’s LMS (Canvas)
• Commitment to continuous professional growth and fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment

Teaching Responsibilities

As part of the full-time load, teaching responsibilities may include: Teaching  all levels of acting and directing, acting for the camera, script analysis, introduction to theatre, community-based performance, and devised performance

Work Schedule 

This is a full-time, exempt position. Most classes, meetings, and office hours are scheduled during the typical workday; however, there may be some evenings and weekends.

Application:

A complete application includes the following:

• Letter of application that describes your teaching experience and areas of scholarship/creative activity
• CV
• One page statement of teaching philosophy
• One-to-two-page personal statement discussing your commitment to inclusive excellence
• Three letters of recommendation 

Please include in the PDF descriptions (title, media, year, size) and any contextual information that may be useful to understanding your work​. 

Applicants who advance to the next stage may be asked for graduate school transcripts. 

Review of applications begins on November 20, 2026, and continues until the position is filled.

Your Compensation 

Starting salary $60,000 and commensurate with experience.