Job Details

Assistant Professor of Performance & Pedagogy

Position Number: 6712925
Location: Lubbock, TX
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Theatre and Dance

Assistant Professor of Performance & Pedagogy

42941BR
Position DescriptionThe School of Theatre & Dance within the Texas Tech University J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts, invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Performance & Pedagogy to begin Fall 2026.The ideal candidate should be able to teach multiple acting approaches (e.g. Period Styles, Commedia, Meisner, Stanislavski, and/or other hybrid or non-western approaches) across all degree tracks (BA, BFA, MFA, PhD), preparing undergraduates for professional theatre careers and graduates for creative research, teaching, and practice. This role requires developing innovative pedagogical approaches that integrate emerging industry practices and technologies while translating professional experience into dynamic pedagogy and research that advances the field.The successful candidate will establish a creative research agenda through peer-reviewed scholarship/creative activity, and industry engagement. The position includes directing responsibilities within TTU's production season and mentoring MFA Performance & Pedagogy candidates through research, creative development, and pedagogical inquiry.Service commitments include contributing to school governance, supporting college and university initiatives aligned with the strategic priorities of the University and the College, and building partnerships with external communities. The candidate will participate in formal advising, curriculum development, policy formation, and strategic planning.All prospective employees are encouraged to visit Work at Texas Techto learn more about becoming a part of our campus community.

Position Description
The School of Theatre & Dance within the Texas Tech University J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts, invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Performance & Pedagogy to begin Fall 2026.
The ideal candidate should be able to teach multiple acting approaches (e.g. Period Styles, Commedia, Meisner, Stanislavski, and/or other hybrid or non-western approaches) across all degree tracks (BA, BFA, MFA, PhD), preparing undergraduates for professional theatre careers and graduates for creative research, teaching, and practice. This role requires developing innovative pedagogical approaches that integrate emerging industry practices and technologies while translating professional experience into dynamic pedagogy and research that advances the field.

The successful candidate will establish a creative research agenda through peer-reviewed scholarship/creative activity, and industry engagement. The position includes directing responsibilities within TTU's production season and mentoring MFA Performance & Pedagogy candidates through research, creative development, and pedagogical inquiry.

Service commitments include contributing to school governance, supporting college and university initiatives aligned with the strategic priorities of the University and the College, and building partnerships with external communities. The candidate will participate in formal advising, curriculum development, policy formation, and strategic planning.

All prospective employees are encouraged to visit Work at Texas Tech to learn more about becoming a part of our campus community.

Major/Essential Functions
In line with TCVPA's Strategic Plan that includes Three Planning Pillars of Innovation, Outreach and Engagement, and Educational Excellence, applicants should have experience working with a variety of student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.

As a faculty member in the School of Theatre & Dance, you will be expected to:

Contribute to the mission & vision of the J.T. & Margaret College of Visual & Performing Arts and the School of Theatre & Dance
Mentor and recruit graduate and undergraduate students
Develop a record of peer-reviewed research/creative activity
Provide service to the school, college, and university within your area of interest
Perform as director within the production season at the School of Theatre & Dance

Required Qualifications

Earned MFA Degree or a PhD or EdD in a theatre performance or related field. Degree must be conferred no later than August 2026.
Experience teaching and crafting pedagogy within a range of various acting-performance methodologies or training lineages (e.g. Period Styles, Commedia, Meisner, Stanislavski, and/or other hybrid or non-western approaches - please articulate in your application materials)
Evidence of substantial experience working within professional performance (at least one of those experiences must have been within the last decade and can be evidenced by any role within professional theatre, film, and/or television, and/or physical storytelling nationally, or a reasonable global equivalent)

Preferred Qualifications
In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

Minimum 3 years of teaching experience at the collegiate level
Emerging or established creative research agenda with outlook toward future scholarship/creative activity, including record of activity indicative of potential to secure external funding
Experience teaching at the graduate level (including graduate courses taught as a faculty member)
Ability to integrate emerging industry practices and technologies into teaching, particularly regarding actor-training pedagogy
Directing experience
Membership in a professional actors' union (e.g. AEA or SAG/AFTRA)
Evidence of emerging or established service to the performance industry (including but not limited to service within a professional performance-related association)
Additional skillset in teaching stage combat, stage intimacy and/or classical and/or non-western performance approaches

Special Instructions to Applicant
Please include the following documents in your application:

Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter
Link to sample of professional work or portfolio accompanied by a statement of research and/or creative activity.
Names and contact information of at least three references

Questions about this position should be directed to Prof. Rachel Hirshorn-Johnston, Search Committee Chair at rachel.hirshorn@ttu.edu

To apply, visit workattexastech.com

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.