"Assistant Professor of Theatre, (Non-Tenure Track) - College of Arts and Sciences"

Job Description

Ashland University, a primarily undergraduate institution, seeks applications for an Assistant Professor of Theatre, Non-Tenure Track, position in the Department of Music and Theatre to begin August 2026. A terminal degree in Theatre (MFA in Acting or Directing or PhD in Theatre) is required by the start date. The successful candidate will have teaching and directing experience.

Primary responsibilities are directing one show each semester, teaching courses in the theatre minor and academic core, and serving as Artistic Director/Assistant Department Chair. Specific courses could include: Theatre Aesthetics, Script Analysis, American Musical Theatre, Acting for Non-Majors. Production responsibilities include: selecting season, hiring guest designers and directors as needed (especially lights, sound, set, costumes, technical director), managing production budget, interfacing with the ticketing system, securing rights, scripts, etc.

Teaching-Related Responsibilities:

• Teach core classes required for Theatre minor (TH 203 Theatre Aesthetics, TH 204 Script Analysis, TH 214 Acting for Non-Majors, TH 303 American Musical Theatre).
• Assist/advise chair with hiring of adjunct faculty.
• Assist/advise chair with scheduling of theatre classes.
• Curriculum maintenance & development –revise current minor and core classes, propose new courses as needed.
• Advise Theatre minors as needed.

Production Responsibilities:

• Serve as Artistic Director for theatre program (select season, hire guest designers and directors as needed, especially lights, sound, set, costumes, technical director).
• Manage production budget.
• Secure rights, scripts, etc.
• Direct one theatre production each semester (each equals a three-credit load reduction).
• Instructor of record for TH 150 (Theatre Performance Laboratory), 1 credit course for working on a show – performers, crew, etc.

Additional Responsibilities:

• May serve as advisor for student groups: Drop of a Hat, Alpha Psi Omega.
• Set up ticketing for theatre and music events in Hometown ticketing.
• Post job descriptions, hire, schedule, and supervise student employees (Music/Theatre Event Staff, Costume Shop Assistants, Scene Shop Assistants, and House Manager).
• Work with department chair to schedule the theatre spaces; maintain calendar.
• Observe Theatre adjuncts.
• Responsible for maintaining and overseeing the following spaces:
  • Hugo Young Theatre – 720 seat proscenium space w/booth and sound board station
  • Studio Theater – 75 seat Black Box space w/booth
  • Costume Shop
  • Scene Shop – on site
  • 2 costume storage spaces – on site
  • Properties storage space – on site
  • Lighting storage space – on site
  • Furniture storage space – off site

Required Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in Theatre (MFA in Acting or Directing or PhD in Theatre).