Assistant Professor - Musical Theatre Performance

Northern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access institution. We embrace inclusiveness, equity, and global awareness in all dimensions of our work and seek excellence through diversity among our students, administrators, faculty, and staff. Application by members of diverse groups is encouraged.

The School of the Arts at Northern Kentucky University invites applications for a tenure-track position in Musical Theatre Performance within the Theatre & Dance Program, beginning fall 2025. Faculty responsibilities include teaching, music directing/conducting, providing piano support, program and college/university-level service, academic mentoring, and professional artistic work.

The School of the Arts at Northern Kentucky University offers a wide array of degree programs in Theatre and Dance. The Theatre & Dance Program within the School of the Arts offers the B.F.A. in Theatre Performance with tracks in Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance Performance, Dance Pedagogy, and Playwrighting, a B.F.A. in Theatrical Design and Technology with tracks in Theatrical Design and Technology or Stage Management. The program produces two or three musicals, two or three plays, and one dance concert annually for a total of six mainstage productions. Season extras include a First Year Student Showcase, and student produced productions in the studio theatre, including the annual Emerging Choreographer's Showcase. See the Theatre & Dance Program website at theatre.nku.edu for additional information.

Located seven miles from downtown Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky University is a 15,000-student nationally recognized metropolitan university committed to active engagement with the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region of nearly two million people. Greater Cincinnati has one of the most vibrant and multifaceted cultural scenes in the Midwest, with the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Arts Association, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Ballet, over 25 semi-professional and community theatres and dance companies, as well as a strong community of working artists, musicians, and designers. It offers an outstanding quality of life and an affordable cost of living. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, but especially from individuals who contribute to the diversity of our academic community.

NKU seeks to fill the position of Assistant Professor - Musical Theatre Performance to teach four undergraduate courses per semester, with one of those courses reassigned when music directing for a main-stage production. Teach within various levels of musical theatre performance seminars and courses, including piano skills/theory/musicianship, song interpretation, ensemble singing/performance, and auditions. Provide piano support for the Musical Theatre Program. Secondary teaching responsibilities may include composition, opera, aural skills, sound programming/engineering or other courses as assigned. The Theatre & Dance program is open to innovative and broad skill sets that may benefit our program in unexpected ways.

Applicants should possess an M.F.A. in Musical Theatre Performance or a Master's in Music by the time of appointment. Promising applicants will demonstrate the potential for a successful career in teaching and for distinction in professional artistic activity and/or research. Evidence of teaching experience at the undergraduate or graduate level and significant experience as a music director is required.

Additionally, the candidate must remain current within the discipline and apply continued knowledge towards course instruction, provide mentorship along with fellow faculty to theatre and dance students, and demonstrate potential for professional artistic growth.

Questions regarding the use of this website should be directed to the Human Resources Department at jobs@nku.edu.

Questions regarding the nature of the position should be directed to the search committee chairs: Michael Hatton, hattonm@nku.edu and Jamey Strawn, strawnj@nku.edu

Candidates should submit materials electronically through Northern Kentucky University's website portal jobs.nku.edu. Required materials include:
1. Letter of Application
2. Current C.V.

3. Teaching Philosophy - Please include specifics regarding your commitment and/or experience promoting and fostering an inclusive learning/artistic environment.

4. Artist Statement - Please include specific examples related to your artistic process and collaboration.

5. Three References with Contact Information.

6. Candidates invited for interviews will be asked to submit three letters of recommendation addressed to the search committee chair.

Please do not send transcripts or audio/video materials at this time. Further materials may be requested at a later date.

Minimum Education: Master's degree in Music or Master of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre Performance by the time of appointment, professional music directing experience, and university-level teaching experience.

Preferred Education: Master's degree in Music or Master of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre Performance by the time of appointment, university-level teaching and recruiting experience, and significant experience as a professional music director, vocal coach, and musician, including strong proficiency as a pianist and as a musical theatre accompanist.

In order to ensure full consideration, applications should be received by November 15, 2024. Applications will continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.

Any candidate who is offered this position will be required to go through a pre-employment criminal background check as mandated by state law.