"Assistant Professor of Theatre (Tenure Track)"

The Department of Visual and Performing Arts at Berry College invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Theatre, beginning August 2026. We seek a dynamic scholar-mentor-director with a passion for teaching Theatre History and Literature and a talent for directing with empathy and artistic vision. The ideal candidate will inspire students intellectually, guide them in scholarly and creative work, and connect academics with innovative productions. A strong commitment to the liberal arts and the ability to contribute to Arts Foundations (general education) courses are essential.

Berry's Theatre program is small, student-centered, and deeply committed to creativity, collaboration, and academic excellence. Through the Berry College Theatre Company (BCTC), students participate in three mainstage productions annually, gaining hands-on experience in performance and production. Our program emphasizes personalized mentoring, rigorous academic training, and professional development through the LifeWorks student work program. We actively engage artists, students, audiences, and community partners in meaningful dialogue to foster diverse perspectives and inclusive practices.

Faculty at Berry are supported with travel funding and opportunities to collaborate with students on research projects. Successful candidates will contribute to Berry's strategic priorities, including civic engagement and experiential learning, by helping students secure impactful internships. We especially welcome applicants whose teaching and scholarship will enrich the curriculum and embody Berry's Good Neighbor culture.

Requirements:

Applicants must hold a terminal degree (Ph.D. or MFA) in Theatre from an accredited institution by the date of employment. Demonstrated experience in teaching, directing, and mentoring students in a liberal arts setting is preferred.

Additional Information:

ABOUT BERRY COLLEGE

Berry is a selective independent college of 2,200 students located adjacent to Rome, GA, midway between Atlanta, GA, and Chattanooga, TN. Berry's educational approach deliberately unites challenging academic programs with practical work experience in a residential campus community that encourages faith and emphasizes caring for the needs of others above self. Our mission and values are grounded in the ethic that our founder instilled more than a century ago:

"We educate the head, heart, and hands - to inspire leaders of integrity who cultivate thriving communities. Combining academic exploration with meaningful work responsibilities in a residential setting, our approach emphasizes firsthand experiences and mentoring. We invest in the personal growth and professional preparation of talented students from varied backgrounds, with an enduring commitment to help those hindered by financial need. Guided by Christian principles, we value the dignity of individuals, the search for truth tempered with grace, and the well-being of our neighbors."

Nationally recognized for quality of learning and quality of life, Berry offers first-rate undergraduate degree programs in the sciences, humanities, arts, and human sciences, as well as undergraduate and master's level opportunities in business, physician associate studies, and teacher education. The College's stunning 27,000-acre campus affords opportunities that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. Berry's ongoing commitment is to provide exceptional educational experiences to talented students from a wide range of social, racial, and economic backgrounds.

COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

Berry College is committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse faculty and staff. An Equal Opportunity Institution, Berry complies with all applicable laws and provisions prohibiting discrimination in its educational and employment policies. Berry respects the essential dignity of all individuals and accordingly hires and promotes employees without regard to matters of personal identity such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and political affiliation. Berry College is committed to ensuring that facilities, programs, services, and activities are accessible to everyone, including those seeking employment at Berry College. Inquiries about interviews or workplace accommodations are welcome and can be directed to employment@berry.edu or (706) 233-4062.

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit a letter of application describing the candidate's interest in this position and commitment to the Berry mission and values; a curriculum vitae; a teaching statement that should articulate the candidate's teaching approach, experience, and goals; a statement of research plans; unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts; and names and contact information of three references.

Review of applications will begin on October 17 and will continue until the position is filled.

Specific questions about the position may be sent directly to the chair of the search committee, Alice Bristow, at abristow@berry.edu.