Salary/Position Classification
- $55,000+ 9-month contract, Exempt
- 40 hours per week
- This position will work onsite at UND Grand Forks, ND campus
Purpose of Position
The Department of Theatre Arts at the University of North Dakota invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor with a specialization in directing, acting, and musical theatre. The department seeks a dynamic artist and educator who will strengthen its acting and directing curriculum, contribute to its BFA in Musical Theatre, and lead student recruitment efforts. The position begins August 16, 2027, and is contingent upon available funding.
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in acting and directing, with additional teaching in musical theatre acting and musical theatre history. These courses are required for the BA in Theatre and the BFA in Musical Theatre. The successful candidate will work with colleagues to advance the department’s programs, curriculum, and set a vision for the future, and will help expand the department’s unique Theatre Communication degree.
The Department of Theatre Arts at the University of North Dakota is committed to cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and cultural exploration through the transformative power of the performing arts. Our mission is student-centered, teaching academic excellence, innovative techniques, and creative expression. We foster a professional environment that serves our university and community by providing production experience that is diverse, inclusive, and grounded in collaboration.
The faculty member will work with two collaborative degree programs. The BFA in Musical Theatre, offered in partnership with the Department of Music, provides integrated training in acting, voice, and dance. The Theatre Communications program, developed with the Department of Communication, connects performance practice with media studies and strategic communication and is a distinctive offering among public universities in the United States.
Established in 1883, the University of North Dakota is the oldest research university in North Dakota. Founded with a strong liberal arts foundation, it is the state’s flagship university and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having very high research activity. UND offers degrees in more than 225 fields of study with nearly 16,000 students. It is the home of the state’s only School of Law and School of Medicine. The School of Medicine and Health Sciences has major initiatives in rural and public health, and Aerospace is home to one of the first and largest unmanned aerial vehicle programs in the world.
UND is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, a vibrant college town of roughly 60,000 people located on the border of North Dakota and Minnesota. Short commutes, a great public-school system, high-quality medical facilities, low crime, ample parks and theaters, and a cost of living below that found in large American cities are some of Grand Forks’ advantages. Ranked as one of the top 5 Best Small College Towns, and America’s Best Hockey Town, Grand Forks offers stellar quality of life without the metropolitan hassles.
Duties & Responsibilities
The successful candidate will receive a contract with a distribution of 50% teaching, 40% creative activity, and 10% service.
-
Courses could include (but are not limited to): Musical Theatre History, Acting I, Acting II, Acting for Musical Theatre I
-
Creative activity may include, but is not limited to, professional performance and directing. The faculty member will direct and develop productions for the department's season, which serves as the primary experiential learning laboratory for students and as a cultural resource for the Grand Forks community and the region.
-
All faculty are expected to contribute service to the department, college, university, and community.
UND and the College of Arts & Sciences value perspectives from a broad range of backgrounds and seek applicants who are committed to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds succeed. The University of North Dakota is supportive of dual-career assistance both within the University and the local community. Please contact UND’s Recruiting Manager, Hannah Whalen (Hannah.Whalen@UND.edu), to explore dual-career opportunities.
Required Competencies
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- The ability to teach, inspire, and mentor students
- Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students
- Ability to work with and engage students and colleagues with a broad range of backgrounds within and outside the Department of Theatre Arts
- Strong collaborative and leadership skills
- Ability to adapt to current methods of teaching
Minimum Requirements
- MFA in Theatre or a related field by August 15, 2027
- Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Preferred Qualifications
- MFA in Directing by August 15, 2027
- Demonstrated record of professional or creative work in directing musical theatre
- Evidence of teaching in theatre at the university level
- Demonstrated record of professional creative work in acting, directing, and/or choreography
- Developed pedagogy and experience teaching in acting and directing at the university level
- Experience with student recruitment and engagement
To Apply
To assure full consideration, applications must be received by 12/09/2026 and include the following materials:
- Cover Letter
- CV
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- Evidence of creative work (such as a website, portfolio or production documentation)
- Contact information for three professional references
- Unofficial transcripts. Please note that the selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts upon hire.
Position is open until filled.
Questions can be directed to the Hiring Committee Chair Tami Carmichael at tami.carmichael@und.edu.