Title: Assistant Professor of Theatre

VP Area: Academic Affairs

Department: School of Arts, Letters, and Social Sciences

Job Summary/Basic Function: The School of Arts, Letters, and Social Sciences (SALSS) at Lake Superior State University (LSSU) seeks qualified applicants for a tenure-track faculty position in Theatre starting in August 2024. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to teaching and fostering student success.

Minimum Qualifications: Master’s Degree in a theatre discipline.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Desire and innovative/entrepreneurial energy to continually improve program quality and enrollment.

Ability and willingness to collaborate well with students and other faculty.

Preferred Qualifications: MFA in a Design area and/or PhD in theatre history.

Strong evidence of professional production experience in acting and/or directing.

Evidence of commitment to undergraduate teaching, research, and service.

Experience in planning an arts season and/or working in a performing arts venue.

Familiarity with instructional technologies and online learning platforms is desirable.

Desire to function as the Arts Center Director.  Arts Center Director provides a three credit release and $3,500 per semester.

1. Act as an ambassador for the Arts Center.
2. Engage in the year-long process of identifying, vetting, and coordinating with presenters to create a dynamic calendar of events at least a year in advance.
3. Manage the performing arts experience, including communication, marketing, artist hospitality, evening-of support, and overall box office and technical needs.
4. In conjunction with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, create and coordinate opportunities for giving.
5. Create and execute Arts Center educational outreach activities.
6. Coordinate with Student Services and Academic Services to support meaningful experiences for students.
7. Coordinate with the Charter School Office to provide engaging learning experiences.
8. Create and coordinate the promotion, publication, and marketing of the Arts Center to campus and the community.
9. In conjunction with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, develop and monitor the Arts Center budget.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Minimum of 12 contract hours of teaching responsibilities per semester. Provide a minimum of 5 hours devoted to office hours for the purpose of student advising and support.

Design and deliver engaging and effective instruction for theatre courses. Existing courses include Acting for Beginners, Theatre History, Acting Shakespeare, Fundamentals of Speech Communication, Reacting to the Past, Introduction to Film, and Play Analysis, with the potential to create new offerings.

Develop and update course materials, syllabi, and assignments to align with program objectives and academic standards. Incorporate diverse perspectives to enhance student learning experiences.

Provide guidance and support to students, offering constructive feedback on assignments, facilitating discussions, and addressing individual learning needs. Foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment conducive to student success.

Assess student learning through various methods, such as exams, essays, projects, and presentations. Use assessment data to monitor student progress and inform instructional strategies.

Stay current with trends and best practices in theatre education. Participate in faculty development activities, workshops, and conferences to enhance teaching effectiveness and contribute to the academic community.

Advise students on academic and career goals, course selection, and degree requirements. Serve as a mentor and resource for students seeking guidance on educational pathways and opportunities.

Contribute to departmental and institutional committees, meetings, and initiatives aimed at improving curriculum, policies, and academic programs.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled.

Required Documents:

            Cover letter

            Curriculum Vitae

            Contact information for 3 references

            Transcripts

            Statement of teaching interests (1 page)

            Statement of research interests (1 page)

            Statement of diversity and inclusion (1 page)

            Digital portfolio (Optional)

Physical Demands:

Typical demands of teaching at the university level exist, with the ability to stand for up to 4 hours in a single class session. The ability to manage the physical demands of 12 credits per semester, with the occasional possibility of overload and night classes.

The above statement reflects the general considered necessary to describe the principle functions of the job identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.