Assistant Professor of Acting

Overview

Utah State University’s Department of Theatre Arts is seeking a full-time, Assistant Professor of Acting. The ideal candidate will have a strong record of teaching various acting, voice, and movement courses and demonstrate a commitment to mentoring and student success. The position is defined as 50% creative activity or research, 40% teaching, 10% service. 

This position is for the 2027-2028 academic year anticipated to start in August 2027.

Responsibilities

• Teaching load is 3/3 and may include courses in the following subjects: 
• • Acting (all levels)
  • Acting for the Camera
  • Voice
  • Stage Combat
  • Movement
  • Understanding Theatre
  • Other areas as appropriate to department needs
• Participate in the annual portfolio review of BFA Acting and Musical Theatre students. 
• Mentor undergraduate student projects and grants.
• Participate in recruitment and retention activities, including attending recruiting events in and/or out of state. 
• Participate in audition and admissions processes.
• Serve on department, college, and university committees.
• Create and produce creative activity/research to remain current in the profession. 
• Contribute to high-quality teaching, mentoring, experiential learning, and meaningful educational opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications for Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor

• Terminal degree (MFA or PhD) in Acting or related field.  
• At least two years of teaching experience at the university level post graduate school. 
• A documented professional body of work as an actor in stage, film, television, voiceover, or digital/emerging media.
• Demonstrated expertise in teaching college-level stage combat (armed and unarmed) and integrating physical safety and consent-based practices into actor training.
• Demonstrated commitment to student recruitment and participation in audition and admissions processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of college-level teaching experience.
• Demonstrated ability to direct in an academic setting.
• Experience and familiarity with curriculum development, advising, and season planning.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

Cover Letter to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

Names and contact information of at least three references to be typed at the beginning of the application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

$60,000 - $70,000, Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  

College/Department Highlights

The College of Arts & Sciences is at the heart of Utah State University’s land- and space-grant mission. Through transformative learning experiences, we serve learners at all levels of post-secondary education including concurrent enrollment students, undergraduates, graduate students, and lifelong learners. We foster discovery and creativity through rich academic experiences that prepare students to meet tomorrow’s challenges, drive innovation in research and the arts, and make meaningful contributions to our communities.

The College of Arts & Sciences is a vibrant hub where students are inspired to explore, lead, and make an impact. At the heart of Utah State University’s land- and space-grant mission, the college brings together science, humanities, and the arts to empower students with durable skills, hands-on experiences, and lifelong knowledge. Through transformative learning opportunities, we serve learners at all levels—concurrent enrollment students, undergraduates, graduate students, and lifelong learners—fostering discovery, creativity, and a spirit of collaboration. Our faculty, staff, and students advance knowledge, spark innovation, and pursue artistic excellence while engaging meaningfully with our communities. Together, we prepare students to face tomorrow’s challenges and chart their own unique paths forward.

Housed in the College of the Arts and Sciences at USU, the Department of Theatre Arts is comprised of 11 full-time faculty plus adjuncts and Visiting Assistant Professors, 6 graduate students, and over 160 undergraduates. The department offers BFA degrees in Acting, Musical Theatre, Design, and Theatre Education; a BA in Theatre; and MFA degrees in Costume, Set, and Lighting Design. The BFA mission is to prepare students for graduate school or professional careers as performers and designers. The department administers the Lyric Repertory Company, a professional summer repertory theater housed in a Victorian theater located in downtown Logan.

Utah State University is an R1 university under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as well as an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). 

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or [email protected].

*updated 10/26

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

*updated 08/2026