Assistant Teaching Professor of Acting and Stage Combat

Job Details

Position Title: Assistant Teaching Professor of Acting and Stage Combat

Compensation: $52,000 - $56,000

Department: Theatre & Dance

Start Date: 08/17/2026

About this opportunity:

Ball State University's Department of Theatre and Dance seeks an individual with a commitment to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and entrepreneurial learning practices as a teacher of acting and stage combat within the BFA acting and musical theatre areas. The successful candidate will be an accomplished pedagogue and educator who will play an active role in the crafting of curriculum, recruitment of students, and building connections within the discipline that will further enhance the opportunities presented to our students during and after their matriculation.

Ball State’s BFA performance options offer an innovative and demanding training curriculum consisting of rigorous and varied coursework, utilizing our production program as a true “laboratory” space, a strong foundation in an “actor first” mentality within all realms of storytelling, and an emphasis on synthesizing the body, voice, and mind. Applicants should be committed to inclusive pedagogies in their teaching, scholarship, and artistry. Additional consideration will be given to applicants possessing the ability to teach all levels of movement, experience with teaching acting for the camera, and those with experience in the synthesis of singing and acting.

Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

What you'll do and what you will bring:

Position Description:

Teach acting and stage combat within the BFA acting and musical theatre areas.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• A teaching load that may include all levels of course work in acting, stage combat, movement, devising, singing actor, audition, acting for the camera, and introduction to theatre.
• Mentorship and coaching of upper-level students in conjunction with showcases and professional auditions.
• Work as a director, coach, or actor in assigned departmental productions.
• A dedication and commitment to helping foster and cultivate overall student success.
• Fulfilling service obligations, including assigned committee work at the Department, College, and University level, on a national, regional, and local level.
• Working in collaboration with theatre and dance faculty, staff, and students in facilitating the theatre and dance production program at Ball State University.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in performance or equivalent professional experience completed by date of employment.
• The ability to teach all levels of stage combat and movement courses for acting and musical theatre students.
• Teaching experience at the university/college level, gained concurrently or at any time.
• Ability to serve as an artist for production work when needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• M.F.A. in Acting completed by date of employment.
• Three years of teaching experience at the university/college level.
• Connections and recognitions within the professional acting and/or musical theatre industries.
• Experience in the synthesis of singing and acting.

Tested Experience Qualifications:

Five years consistent professional performance, directing, accompanying, or coaching experience in established regional or national theatre performance venues including Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, or Major Regional Theatre venues

OR

Three years consistent professional performance experience in mainstream television and film

OR

Recognition/award by a regional or national awards organization (Tony, Joseph Jefferson Awards, Helen Hayes Awards, etc.)

How to apply:

For inquiries about this opportunity, please contact: Search Committee Chair: Bill Jenkins: wjenkins@bsu.edu

Please follow upload instructions to attach all of the required supporting documents listed below. NOTE: Do not use the Autofill feature for resume:

• Cover Letter
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Teaching Philosophy Statement

Applications must be received before 12:01AM on June 1, 2026.