Assistant Professor - Playwriting & Dramaturgy at University of Houston in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

The School of Theatre & Dance in the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts at the University of Houston invites applications for a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Playwriting & Dramaturgy with a start date of Fall 2025. Successful applicants will have a primary teaching interest in playwriting/dramaturgy with additional expertise in theories of performance. Experience teaching theatre history is a plus as is a record of professional productions as a playwright.

Responsibilities include teaching in support of the BFA Playwriting & Dramaturgy program as well as core curricula at both the undergraduate and graduate level. This position will also oversee and mentor playwriting students as part of the UH theatre season, including the 10-Minute Play Festival.

Applicants must submit the following electronically: 1) Cover letter 2) CV 3) List of at least three professional references who will be contacted as needed by the search committee and provide letters of recommendation 4) Writing sample, specifically a short one-act or longer scene from a play or performance piece and any reviews of professionally produced work 5) Statement of Teaching Philosophy. Review of applications will begin November 4, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.

The Theatre Program at the University of Houston emphasizes theatre artistry in direct partnership with both practical and innovative applications for the twenty-first century. We prepare students through a disciplined practice of theatre, while guiding them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. Our theatre faculty and guest artists provide direct connections to the professional community in Houston and beyond. We provide a nurturing environment where students develop sustainable workforce skills and curious minds, while defining their individuality through the art of theatre. The program has a particularly strong record of collaboration with noted American playwrights, including Edward Albee, Lanford Wilson, Theresa Rebeck, and the current Distinguished Professor of Playwriting, Lisa D'Amour.

The McGovern College of the Arts is the innovative home of the visual and performing arts at the University of Houston, one of the most diverse R1 institutions in the nation and situated in the thriving, dynamic arts metropolis of Houston. Therefore, the successful candidate for this position will excel at teaching and mentoring students with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. We welcome candidates whose own experience in teaching, research, or service has prepared them to contribute to our rich community of excellence.

Applicants for the position are expected to exhibit the following core values and competencies:
• Passion, energy, and tenacity
• Integrity and collegiality
• An ability to attract resources, including grants or other external sources of support that advance the school's mission
• An aptitude for building dynamic degree programs and recruiting top-tier students
• An ability to find creative solutions to difficult problems

Applicants are also expected to be committed to:
• Excellence in the arts, arts education, and arts scholarship
• Fostering student growth and success
• Collaboration with others, both within and across disciplines

The University of Houston is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution and recognizes protected classes of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, religion, age (40 and above), national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or status, and gender expression as required by federal law. Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Candidates should have a MFA in Playwriting or Dramaturgy or PhD in Theatre with relevant expertise, and teaching experience at the university level.