Tenure-line Assistant Professor in Acting and Performance Pedagogy

Who We Are

The Department of Theatre Arts at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), a Carnegie-classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants for a tenure-line position in the area of Acting and Performance Pedagogy, who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence and the building of a just society.

LMU is federally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and is recognized by the State of California as a Black-Serving Institution (BSI). These designations reflect the university's continuing commitment to supporting student success, belonging, and thriving within a diverse academic community. As a Catholic, Jesuit, and Marymount University, LMU values faculty who engage students as whole persons and pursue scholarly work that promotes justice, equity, and the Common Good.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to LMU's teacher-scholar model. A teacher-scholar conducts research and creative work that contributes to the larger body of knowledge while setting an example for the importance of lifelong learning. A teacher-scholar at LMU is dedicated to (1) teaching a diverse student body in a transformative learning environment, (2) developing a thriving portfolio of research and mentoring students, (3) participating in service activities at the academic, professional, and/or community levels, and (4) working toward greater equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility for all in the profession.

For more information about our current faculty, please visit Join Our Faculty.

Appointment Type and Details

The Theatre Arts Department invites applications to fill a Tenure-Line Position Assistant Professor in Acting and Performance Pedagogy. We seek a scholar with expertise in teaching and research in the disciplines of performance and performance pedagogy.

Applicants must have the following:

• An MFA, PhD, or international degree equivalent, in Performance Pedagogy, Acting, Performance Studies, or Theatre.
• At least three years of university-level teaching experience beyond teaching completed as part of graduate study
• Demonstrated experience teaching undergraduate courses in performance
• Demonstrated experience teaching graduate-level courses in theatre or performance pedagogy
• Demonstrated knowledge of performance pedagogies, theories, and practices
• Evidence of an ongoing scholarly, creative, and/or professional practice
• A demonstrated commitment to inclusive, student-centered education and to working effectively with students from diverse backgrounds

Preference may be given to candidates who demonstrate one or more of the following:

• Experience preparing and mentoring college-level theatre educators
• Experience supervising graduate teaching practica
• Expertise in curriculum development, assessment, and reflective teaching practice
• A record of conference presentations, publications, public scholarship, workshops, or invited talks addressing performance pedagogy
• Knowledge of consent-forward practices and trauma-informed pedagogy
• Experience integrating inclusive, culturally responsive, and socially engaged approaches into theatre education
• Professional experience in acting, directing, actor coaching, or related performance fields
• Membership in organizations such as VASTA, ATHE, SAG-AFTRA, Actors’ Equity Association, or comparable professional associations

Position Responsibilities

We seek a scholar/practitioner with expertise in teaching and research/creative work in the discipline of Acting and Performance Pedagogy who will teach undergraduate courses in performance and graduate courses in theatre and performance pedagogy. Teaching assignments may include:

• Introduction to Performance Pedagogy
• Seminar in Teaching Acting
• Practicum: Teaching Beginning Acting
• Advanced Topics in Theatre Pedagogy
• Undergraduate acting and performance courses
• Additional courses aligned with the candidate’s expertise and departmental needs

The successful candidate will help prepare graduate students to become reflective, inclusive, and effective teachers of theatre and performance. Responsibilities may include supervising graduate teaching practica, mentoring graduate research or capstone work, overseeing MFA theses, and contributing to the continued development of the MFA in Performance Pedagogy.

Faculty responsibilities include maintaining an active program of scholarship/creative work, teaching and advising undergraduate students, and contributing to department and university service. Currently, Department tenure-track faculty typically teach on a 3:3 course load of 3 units classes; within a 40% research, 40% teaching, and 20% service model. Faculty in these positions will be encouraged to contribute to the LMU Core Curriculum, for example by developing a First-Year Seminar and/or courses that incorporate Interdisciplinary Connections.

The Department of Theatre Arts values collaborative, interdisciplinary, and community-engaged approaches to teaching, creative work, and research. We seek candidates who are excited to teach and mentor a diverse student body in Los Angeles and who will contribute to LMU's teacher-scholar model through excellent undergraduate teaching, an active research agenda, and innovative forms of student engagement, including collaborative and community-based learning.

How To Apply

The application deadline is December 1, 2026. Questions regarding this position may be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Kevin J. Wetmore, Jr. at [email protected].

The following application materials must be submitted online through the LMU Employment website:

1. A letter of application addressing the candidate’s qualifications for the position and interest in Loyola Marymount University. The letter should include a brief teaching philosophy, and a statement on equity mindedness.

2. A curriculum vitae.

3. A list of conference presentations, publications, public talks, workshops, and other scholarly or professional contributions related to performance pedagogy.

4. A list of three professional references (including names, titles, institutional affiliations, email addresses, and telephone numbers). Letters of recommendation are not required at this stage.

The cover letter should address current research and research/creative work trajectory, teaching experience and proposed curriculum, leadership and programmatic experience, and service interests. The teaching philosophy statement should address the candidate's pedagogical approach, share examples of activities and assignments, address how they foster inclusion and access in the classroom, and generally demonstrate their teaching and student mentorship experiences. Candidates who progress to the Zoom or campus visit stage may be asked for additional materials, such as sample syllabi and/or course evaluations.

Candidates who advance in the search will be asked to provide transcripts and letters of recommendation at a later stage.

Only electronic applications submitted through the LMU employment portal will be considered. Note: Workday allows a maximum of five uploaded documents (5 MB each).

Across their application materials, candidates should address their commitment to and any past and/or potential contributions to advancing LMU's mission and promoting the success, sense of belonging, and thriving of students from a variety of lived experiences. Candidates may address these commitments in relation to their scholarship, creative work, teaching, mentorship, advising, and/or service, as appropriate to their experiences and future goals. Relevant examples may include fostering inclusive and accessible learning environments, supporting equitable educational outcomes, engaging multiple perspectives and ways of knowing, mentoring students from varied backgrounds, or pursuing scholarship and service that contributes to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, justice, and/or accessibility.

#HERC# #HEJ#

Faculty RegularReasonable expected salary: $86,500.00

Please note that this position may not be eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Loyola Marymount University, a Carnegie classified R2 institution in the mainstream of American Catholic higher education, seeks outstanding applicants who value its mission and share its commitment to inclusive excellence, the education of the whole person, and the building of a just society. LMU is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an environment free from discrimination and harassment as defined by federal, state and local law. We invite all persons in the full diversity of their being, life experience, and beliefs to apply. (Visit www.lmu.edu for more information.)

LMU is committed to providing equal access to employment opportunities and ensuring a comprehensive recruitment and selection process for all applicants.

Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any stage of the application, interview, or selection process may contact Human Resources at [email protected] or by phone at (310) 338-2723. Applicants who use relay services or other assistive communication technologies are welcome to utilize those services when contacting Human Resources.

When contacting Human Resources, please include the job posting number, title of the position and department for which you are applying. Applicants are not required to disclose the nature of a disability or provide medical information when requesting an accommodation during the recruitment process.

LMU will work with applicants in a timely and interactive process to identify and provide reasonable accommodations consistent with applicable federal and state law.