Assistant Professor of Theatre in Directing, Tenure Track, Fall 2026

Description

The Department of Theatre in the College of Performing Arts at Chapman University seeks applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Theatre in Directing, effective Fall 2026. 

Chapman University is a nationally ranked, R2 Carnegie Classified, private institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. Chapman’s campuses are home to nearly 10,000 students representing 50 states, three territories, and 87 countries. The 11 schools and colleges of Chapman, including Schmid College of Science and Technology, offer 65 bachelor's, 53 master's, and six doctoral programs, along with nearly 60 minors and 17 accelerated and bridge programs. Classes are taught by more than 1,100 dedicated faculty members who are leaders in their fields, including Nobel Prize recipients, MacArthur Fellows, National Medal of Science honorees, former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Award winners. 

The College of Performing Arts brings together the Hall Musco Conservatory of Music, the Department of Dance, and the Department of Theatre. This partnership strengthens each discipline while positioning the College of Performing Arts as the cultural and aesthetic center of Chapman University. We offer 7 degrees for approximately 460 majors who benefit from scholarship, creativity, free expression, and intellectual curiosity in the classroom as well as opportunities to participate in over a hundred performances offered annually at one of several performing arts venues on campus. Our most prestigious venue, The Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Arts, hosts an array of world-renowned performers and showcases student and faculty work. The alignment of this venue with the college advances our position at the forefront of performing arts education. 

The Department of Theatre offers three degrees: BA Theatre, BFA Theatre Performance, and BFA Screen Acting. Students train in a strong professional theatre curriculum and participate in high-quality productions, all while enjoying the benefits of a liberal arts university located just a short drive from Hollywood and the vibrant SoCal performing arts and entertainment industries. Our students gain real-world experience working onstage and backstage with industry professionals and renowned faculty. Our entire team is dedicated to delivering an education with strong professional ethics that empowers students to pursue their chosen careers. The department seeks a forward-thinking practitioner of the performing arts for the 21st century. Faculty colleagues are expected to contribute meaningfully to consistent recruitment and retention efforts. 

Responsibilities

The ideal candidate must be able to teach a range of courses, such as Acting Fundamentals and Directing for the Theatre, and to mentor and supervise the student-directed One Act Play Production Workshop. There is also the possibility of directing the BFA Theatre Performance Senior Showcase and/or directing one mainstage production per academic year for Chapman University’s Department of Theatre.  

As a tenure-track faculty member, the candidate will be expected to develop and maintain an active creative/scholarly body of work in directing, recognized nationally and internationally. The Department of Theatre, College of Performing Arts, and the University value personalized faculty collaboration with undergraduate students. The faculty member will be expected to advise, mentor, and encourage undergraduate students regarding curriculum, research projects, internship opportunities, and career possibilities. In addition, faculty members must show a consistent dedication to University service. 

The successful candidate will work with the existing faculty, chair, and dean of the College of Performing Arts to continue developing the Department of Theatre’s curricula and production season offerings.

Qualifications

Required

• A terminal degree (MFA or PhD) conferred before August 1, 2026.
• Professional ongoing background in directing, and significant experience and commitment to outstanding teaching at the undergraduate level.

Preferred

• Experience in developing innovative courses, curricula, and research related to one’s area of scholarship and creative activity.
• Demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinarity.
• A strong pedagogical approach that is informed by directing professionally and having experience teaching learning outcomes that correspond to existing curricula.
• Extensive experience in Musical Theatre.

Application Instructions

Interested and qualified applicants should submit:

• Letter of Interest
• C.V.
• Teaching Philosophy Statement
• Contact Reference (Information with names, affiliations, phone numbers, and email addresses of three individuals who can provide a professional recommendation)

For inquiries, please email Tamiko Washington (theatresearch@chapman.edu). Please use "Assistant Professor of Theatre - Directing" in the subject line.

The position will remain open until filled, but prospective candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by 5:00pm Friday, November 14, 2025 (Pacific Standard Time). The salary range for this position is $80,000-$90,000. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. Chapman University offers a relocation expense reimbursement package as well as a first-time Orange County homebuyer assistance program. This position is subject to final budget approval. Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics.  All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.