Assistant Professor of Theater, Dance and Performance Studies

The Performing Arts Program at St. Mary's College of Maryland is accepting applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Theater, Dance and Performance Studies beginning August 2023. This position will be helping build the theater/dance/performance studies division of our new Performing Arts major, which includes tracks in music, theater/dance/performance studies, and a hybrid option that includes all those disciplines.Teaching responsibilities will include courses in stage movement and/or dance, history, theory and practice of theater/dance/performance, topics courses in the candidate's area of specialization, and directing one theater production on the main stage season per academic year. All professors at St. Mary's are expected to contribute to the college-wide core curriculum as well as to their departmental curriculum.
Qualifications: Applicants must have an MFA or PhD in Theater/Dance/Performance Studies, or a related field and be committed to excellence in undergraduate teaching. Applicants with expertise in movement for the stage, anti-racist theater practice, theater, dance, and performance by artists from historically marginalized groups (for example, Global Majority/Black, Indigenous, and People of Color artists, people of marginalized genders, LGBTQIA+ people and people with disabilities), musical theater, and/or the development of new work for the stage are especially encouraged to apply. An interest in attracting and retaining students from underrepresented groups is desirable.
With the support of the Office of Inclusive Diversity, Equity, Access, and Accountability (IDEA2), St. Mary's College has designated this position as part of a cluster hire designed to increase the diversity of SMCM faculty. Programs participating in this AY23-24 cluster hire include Anthropology, Biology, Environmental Studies, History, Performing Arts/Theater, and Psychology. The College seeks to build and support a network of committed scholars whose pedagogical practice-- across their diverse fields of specialization-- improves the educational experience of underrepresented students. Candidates who demonstrate commitment to and experience with supporting students from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized groups will be given preference. St. Mary's College is particularly interested in candidates whose teaching is culturally responsive and grounded in strategies that both increase student belonging and reduce equity gaps in student performance. In addition to negotiated startup funds, new faculty in this cluster hire cohort will be supported by research funds up to $5000 in the first two years, paid professional development opportunities, individualized strategic mentoring, campus and community onboarding, and a dedicated steering committee to oversee the long-term success of the initiative and its participants.
Non-sectarian since its founding, St. Mary's College of Maryland, a public Carnegie Baccalaureate, Arts and Sciences institution located in St. Mary's City, 70 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., has been designated as Maryland's public honors college. With selective admissions policies, academically talented students, and a rigorous curriculum, we offer a small college experience similar to that found at exceptional private colleges. St. Mary's faculty benefit from a comprehensive program of support for scholarship, research, travel, and curriculum development, including course releases for pre-tenure faculty and leaves for tenured faculty. The quality of life is enhanced by the recreational opportunities of the Chesapeake region and by our proximity to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.
St. Mary's College (www.smcm.edu) embodies diversity and inclusion in its mission. We create an environment that recognizes the value of individual and group differences, and we encourage inquiries from applicants who will contribute to our cultural and ethnic diversity. Application materials should include a cover letter that addresses how the candidate will contribute to a campus culture of inclusion; curriculum vitae (including email address), statement of teaching philosophy, statement of research interests, and evidence of teaching effectiveness (if available). Applicants should also arrange for the submission of three confidential letters of recommendation. Applicants can request confidential letters through their Interfolio Dossier account, which may be uploaded for free by the letter writer directly to our Interfolio-hosted account for committee review. Applications are being accepted online at: apply.interfolio.com/117617. Questions may be directed to Dr. Amy Steiger.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and proof of COVID-19 vaccination, medical and religious exemptions may be considered. St. Mary's College of Maryland is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
Employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and proof of COVID-19 vaccination, medical and religious exemptions will be considered.
St. Mary's College of Maryland is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. PDN-97c557ad-5080-4e63-a4bc-36f6fb409a57