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JOB SUMMARY

The University of Connecticut (UConn) is pleased to invite applications for a faculty position in the Department of Dramatic Arts at the rank of Visiting Instructor / Visiting Assistant Professor of Acting.

We seek a candidate with strong skills in actor training and industry preparation, appropriate to teaching at both the BFA and MFA levels. The teaching load is 3/3 with potential course release if performing or directing in Connecticut Repertory Theatre productions. The ideal candidate will have a substantial record of creative work at the professional level and be passionate about teaching and collaboration. Successful candidates will also be expected to broaden participation among members of under-represented groups; demonstrate through research, teaching, and/or public engagement the commitment to, and support of, diversity in the learning experience; integrate multicultural experiences into instructional methods and research tools; and provide leadership in developing pedagogical techniques designed to meet the needs of diverse learning styles and intellectual interests.

The University of Connecticut’s Department of Dramatic Arts offers BFA degrees in Design/Technical Theatre, Acting, and Puppet Arts, and a BA degree in Theatre Studies. The Department offers an MFA in Dramatic Arts with concentrations in Scenic Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, Technical Direction, Acting, and Puppet Arts. The unique, internationally acclaimed MA/MFA Program in Puppet Arts offers training and experience for students across the department in innovative puppet and object performance.

The Department of Dramatic Arts and its theatre production arm, the Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT), combine to create an exciting center for excellence in the dramatic arts. Each year, young theatre artists choose to pursue education, training, and production experience through undergraduate and graduate study in the Department of Dramatic Arts and CRT. The goal of the department is twofold. First, it aims to provide the finest possible professional training through classroom and studio instruction. Second, it aims to supplement and enrich that classroom and studio training by providing maximal opportunities for students to obtain professional level production experience through active participation in plays produced by the Connecticut Repertory Theatre and the Department of Dramatic Arts in one of our three theaters: the 468-seat, proscenium-stage Harriet Jorgensen Theatre, the 235-seat, thrust-stage Nafe Katter Theatre and the 99-seat Studio Theatre.

Also housed within the School of Fine Arts are the Department of Art & Art History, the Department of Music, the Department of Digital Media and Design, the William Benton Museum of Art, the Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts, and the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry. 

Founded in 1881, UConn is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 13 Schools and Colleges, including a Law School in Hartford, and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and 32,000 students, including nearly 24,000 undergraduates and over 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top 25 public universities in the nation. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. UConn promotes the health and well-being of citizens by enhancing the social, economic, cultural, and natural environments of the state and beyond. The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. UConn is a leader in many scholarly, research, and innovation areas. Today, the path forward includes exciting opportunities and notable challenges. Record numbers of undergraduate applications and support for student success have enabled the University to become extraordinarily selective.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The candidate will teach acting courses in the MFA and BFA Acting programs. The responsibilities associated with this position include the following:

• Teach a 3/3 course load in acting and other areas of expertise as requested by the Area Head(s), which could include directing productions for the Department and CRT.
• Participate in annual recruitment and admissions processes for Acting majors.
• Support the department’s commitment to a collaborative community and dedication to ongoing curriculum development.
• Engage in applicable mentoring, advising, and administrative duties, as well as service appropriate to the Visiting Assistant Professor position, at the request of the Department Head.
• Advance our department’s commitment to an inclusive, accessible, and equitable community for all.
• Other duties as assigned.

Our faculty and staff are expected to understand and embrace our commitment to respecting and representing diverse ideas, races, genders, sexualities, abilities, cultures, religions, and traditions. We seek someone who will promote our work toward anti-racism and interrupt behaviors that undermine our ongoing efforts toward a diverse and inclusive community. Black, Indigenous, and other members of historically marginalized groups are encouraged to apply. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. For consideration as Visiting Instructor, a Bachelor’s degree is required.  For consideration as Visiting Assistant Professor, a MFA in Acting, Ph.D., or an equivalent terminal degree in a closely related field is required.
2. Demonstrated excellence in teaching acting.
3. Extensive professional experience as an actor and/or director.
4. Creative experience that centers the voices of historically marginalized communities.
5. Demonstrated capacity to apply Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles in the classroom, production, and academic community.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Demonstrated capacity to mentor and prepare actors to enter the changing professional world.
2. Demonstrated ability to teach classes from amongst the following: non-western actor training methods and styles, heightened contemporary realism, comedy, period styles, naturalism, acting for the camera, new media, audition technique, theater of the oppressed, and improvisation.
3. Memberships in AEA, SAG-AFTRA and/or SDC.
4. Demonstrated capacity to recruit and support diverse, talented, and creative students.
5. Ability to engage in consensus-based collaboration with students, staff, and faculty.
6. Capacity to mentor and teach students through acting and/or directing for the Department of Dramatic Arts and Connecticut Repertory Theatre.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month, non-tenure-track position with an anticipated start date of August 23, 2026. The successful candidate’s academic appointment will be at the Storrs campus. Faculty may also be asked to teach at one of UConn’s regional campuses as part of their ordinary workload. 

Rank and salary will be commensurate with highest terminal degree earned, qualifications and experience. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499652 and submit the following application materials:

• A cover letter,
• Curriculum vitae,
• Research and scholarship statement (innovative concepts that will form the basis of academic career, experience in proposal development, mentorship of graduate students, etc.);
• Teaching statement (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, concepts for new course development, etc.);
• Commitment to diversity statement (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and research and pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles, etc.);
• Sample journal articles or books, as applicable
• Name and Contact information for 3 professional references.

Evaluation of applicants will begin immediately. For more information regarding the Department of Dramatic Arts, please visit the department website.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on June 30, 2026. 

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran’s status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.