Assistant Professor – Movement



Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts)
Department of Theatre

This full-time, 9-month position is at the rank of Assistant Professor, is tenure-eligible, and begins August 16, 2023.

Application Deadline: Review of applications begins January 15, 2023 and continues until the position is filled. For best consideration, applications are due by January 15, 2023.

The Opportunity:

The VCUarts Department Theatre (https://arts.vcu.edu/theatre/) invites applications for a skilled, engaged, and collaboration-minded Assistant Professor of Movement. Outstanding specialists who are experienced, technically strong, and preferably certified in any prominent theatre movement discipline are encouraged to apply. 

The mission of the Department of Theatre is to foster and sustain an environment where theatre as art and craft can flourish and can be studied and learned at the undergraduate and graduate levels under the guidance of, and through the professional example of, its faculty. This mission is accomplished through the essential and inseparable connecting of instruction, research, studio experience, professional theatre relationships, and the public work of the department as a producing theatre organization.

The VCUarts Department of Theatre offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Theatre and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre with concentrations in Performance, Musical Theatre, Costume Design, Scenic Design, Lighting Design, and Stage Management; and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre.


VCUarts Department of Music:

The mission of the VCUarts Department of Music is to educate musicians to shape the stage, the classroom and the world. With 22 full-time faculty and more than 45 part-time instructors, the Department has deep ties to the community, including multiple partnerships with educational and professional arts organizations throughout the region. Approximately 230 students choose to major in music, with many other students from throughout the university taking courses and participating in ensembles.

Major Responsibilities:

Teaching: This position is a 9-month tenure-eligible faculty position in the VCUarts Department of Theatre with an academic rank of Assistant Professor. Instructional responsibilities comprise development and teaching movement in both undergraduate and graduate curricula. An annual teaching load will be determined in consultation with the Chair of the Department of Theatre. In order to support progress towards promotion and tenure, it is expected that the teaching load for research active, tenure-track faculty will be two courses in the fall semester (totalling 6-8 credits) and two courses in the spring semester (totalling 6-8 credits), while holding a tenure-eligible faculty appointment. Course assignments could change based on student needs. The faculty member will coach performance students and will educate and supervise students during productions.

The faculty member is expected to be a passionate teacher who demonstrates the ability to engage, inspire, and mentor students; integrate innovative pedagogical approaches and multicultural perspectives into instructional methods; foster collaborative teaching and educational opportunities through diverse and innovative course assignments, curriculum, and experiences; and promote the efforts of the department in the university and throughout the community. In support of the department’s strong commitment to diversity, the faculty member is expected to foster a welcoming, equitable, and accessible learning environment for all students.

Research: The faculty member’s creative research activity should make a significant contribution to a body of knowledge within theatre movement and reflect a high standard of quality. The faculty member will be expected to seek external funding, as appropriate, to advance their scholarship. The faculty member must demonstrate an active professional career agenda with scholarly activities related to the program’s curriculum, and be consistent with and support the broader mission and initiatives of the department, School, and University.

Service: As a member of a community-oriented, tight-knit department and School, the faculty member will provide service such as assisting with student, department, and school-wide initiatives including audition days, open houses, events, performances and productions; contribute to discussions that support the student community and the administration at each level; support recruitment initiatives for undergraduate and graduate programs; supervise graduate students and serve on thesis committees; foster community engagement opportunities; and serve on department/School/University committees. In addition, the faculty member is expected to provide service to the profession. Other responsibilities may be assigned by the Chair or university administration.

Qualifications:

         Required:

  • MFA or equivalent professional experience and training that equates to an MFA
  • Experience choreographing movement in professional theatres and/or academic institutions
  • University-level teaching experience
  • Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU
  • Active professional practice and reputation in the field
  • Demonstrated effectiveness in classroom critique and teaching movement-based discipline beyond graduate school
  • An emphasis will be placed on candidates who are able to help students transition from academia to the professional world
  • Excellent oral, verbal, and written communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to collaborate

         Preferred:

  • Membership in a professional creative union (SDC, AEA or SAG)
  • Certified to teach stage combat through the Society of American Fight Directors or Dueling Arts International and/or certified as an intimacy coordinator and/or teacher of intimacy for the stage by a nationally recognized organization
  • Fluency in interdisciplinary and experimental approaches to contemporary art
  • Experience teaching acting
  • Demonstrated ability to recruit graduate students
  • Commitment to collaborative research and curriculum development in the arts
  • Record of community-engaged teaching or extra-curricular activities

Application Instructions:

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion – an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence. VCUarts strongly encourages applications from all racial, ethnic, gender, and social identities.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and academic and professional activities will impact your contribution to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion.

Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience. For additional guidance on writing a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: https://provost.vcu.edu/faculty/prospective/.

Questions about the VCU Jobs Website can directed to Tasia Robinson, HR Administrator, at thompsontl5@vcu.edu.

The following documents should submitted online via the VCU Jobs Website:

  • Cover Letter that includes an overview of professional experience and creative research interests
  • Curriculum Vitae or resume
  • Teaching statement that addresses philosophy of teaching and approach to student mentorship; if applicable, please discuss experience teaching first-generation and underrepresented minority students
  • List of three professional references including names with titles and contact information (references will not be contacted prior to a candidate’s approval)

Only electronic applications submitted via the VCU Jobs Website will be accepted. Review of applications begins January 15, 2023 and continues until the position is filled. For best consideration, applications are due by January 15, 2023.

VCUarts:

Ranked by US News & World Report as a top-five arts and design school, VCUarts (arts.vcu.edu) includes over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students with nationally recognized programs in design, visual and performing arts, and has an annual budget of $38 million and an endowment of more than $13.5 million. Students are taught by over 175 full-time teaching and research faculty members and the school is supported by over 60 staff members that assist in daily processes. The School includes two campuses; one in Richmond and one in Doha, Qatar. The Richmond campus is located on the university’s 75-acre Monroe Park campus situated in the city’s historic Fan District.  Ultimately, the work of the School of the Arts extends globally with partnerships throughout the world and across fields as diverse as the humanities, health care and business. 

Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to providing accessible and equitable living, learning and working environments free from discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin,age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability.