Theater Métier Studies Instructor

The Performance Program in the CalArts School of Theater, one of the foremost performance programs in the world, seeks dynamic applicants for a full-time faculty position in a multi-faceted role with emphasis in critical studies, writing, and project mentorship: Undergraduate Theater Métier Studies Faculty to begin in the Fall of 2022. 

About CalArts School of Theater: Dedicated to the development of new voices and new forms, the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) School of Theater is one of the preeminent theater training programs in the country. Our goal is to educate the whole person, preparing fully equipped theater artists to enter and transform the world. We particularly encourage our students to build professional experiences and relationships while in school, mining every opportunity for them to create effective careers after graduation. The CalArts Center for New Performance, the Institute’s professional producing arm, embodies our firm commitment to open exactly such possibilities for talented, ambitious students. Our educational mission is to forge a community of citizen artists who are rigorously trained in their respective métiers and who are able to work effectively and innovatively across a broad spectrum of artistic settings, media, and technologies. Central to this mission, The School of Theater embraces and fosters equity, inclusion, and diversity in all aspects of its pedagogy, production activity, and recruitment of faculty and students.  

CalArts seeks to employ faculty who can engage our diverse communities of learners at the highest levels of artistic endeavor and critical thinking. We welcome candidates who possess a demonstrated worldview and cultural competency to support teaching and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students of varied backgrounds, capabilities, perspectives, social identities, and gender expressions. CalArts is an equal opportunity employer.

Duties: 

Joining one of the premiere faculties in the nation, the position includes teaching BFA metier (theater) studies courses, introducing incoming BFAs to the CalArts School of Theater aesthetic landscape, mentoring both BFA and MFA students in their professional and artistic goals, advising students involved in Theater School projects, and being part of a collaborative faculty with cross-disciplinary impulses dedicated to fostering programmatic growth in this area. The position also includes, but is not limited to, annual recruitment duties, service on committees, and administrative responsibilities. 

This is a multi-faceted faculty role with a primary emphasis on teaching theater métier studies and a strong background in writing for performance and mentoring for the CalArts student experience. The applicant should have a background in devised, experimental theater approaches and productions with the demonstrated ability to guide/mentor students to challenge, advance, and refine their own creative impulses, projects, and aesthetics. A deep understanding of theater history, theatrical experiences and forms, and playwriting will be necessary, as well as evidence of with an expansive world view and dedication to an inclusive and anti-racist pedagogy. This candidate will also have a demonstrable and evidenced writing practice.

-the role will require significant mentoring of student driven work

-help students develop tools to engage in critical response

-bring students entering the program into dialogue with the CalArts pillars and mission and its unique design, performance, and production ecosystem. 

- aid in developing and recognizing students’ artistic voices and open to the evolution of their artistic process

Responsibilities include: 

• Class preparation and grading; 

• 7-12 hours per week of classroom instruction; 

• Significant student mentoring; 

• Attending performance faculty and full faculty meetings as scheduled throughout the year; 

• Participating in students reviews each semester and providing written evaluations, mentor reports, and reviews for each of the students; 

• Maintaining a professional practice;

• Various other duties, as assigned by the Program Director and Dean’s Office. 

Mentorship: 

Mentorship of students is the cornerstone of the CalArts School of Theater. Even though each student is assigned to one specific mentor, it is the responsibility of the faculty to advise any student in the School of Theater if they have the knowledge or expertise that the student requires. This role will involve significant guidance of students in the creation of new work.

Qualifications/Requirements: 

The ideal candidate is an artist with a strong professional (writing, curatorial, creating, devising) practice, a firm commitment to teaching, a dedication to working with a culturally, economically, and intellectually diverse community of artists, and a demonstrated skill and passion for working with theater students in the early stages of their training.

Ideal candidates should: 

• Exhibit a strong knowledge and practice of a variety of theater aesthetics; both traditional and innovative - with a vested interest in experimental performance practices; 

• Come from a more experimental aesthetic background;

• Have experience engaging students in the early development of their training;

• Have experience mentoring student driven projects;

• Have at least two or more years of teaching at the college level; and 

• Possess effective leadership and organizational skills. 

• Candidates for this position must legally be able to work in the U.S.  

Interested applicants should submit the following:

• A cover letter that describes your interest in the position, relevant qualifications, approach to teaching, and a reflection on your potential to contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment through teaching, research, and/or service 

• A teaching philosophy

• A current CV

• Names and contact information for three references

All submissions are confidential.

How to apply: 

Review of Applications will begin on 12/30 For full consideration please apply by that date. Please go to this link to apply: http://apply.interfolio.com/98228