Instructional Assistant Professor of Theatre, Non-Tenure Track, Fall 2026

Description The Department of Theatre in the College of Performing Arts at Chapman University seeks a full-time, Non-Tenure Track, I nstructional Assistant Professor of Theatre, to teach acting courses for the Fall 2026 semester. Chapman University is a nationally ranked, R2 Carnegie Classified, private institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California's most diverse and vibrant regions. Chapman's campuses are home to nearly 10,000 students representing 50 states, three territories, and 87 countries. The 11 schools and colleges of Chapman, including Schmid College of Science and Technology, offer 65 bachelor's, 53 master's, and six doctoral programs, along with nearly 60 minors and 17 accelerated and bridge programs. Classes are taught by more than 1,100 dedicated faculty members who are leaders in their fields, including Nobel Prize recipients, MacArthur Fellows, National Medal of Science honorees, former U.S. Supreme Court clerks, and Emmy, Grammy, and Academy Award winners. The College of Performing Arts brings together the Hall Musco Conservatory of Music, the Department of Dance, and the Department of Theatre. This partnership strengthens each discipline while positioning the College of Performing Arts as the cultural and aesthetic center of Chapman University. We offer 7 degrees for approximately 460 majors who benefit from scholarship, creativity, free expression, and intellectual curiosity in the classroom as well as opportunities to participate in over a hundred performances offered annually at one of several performing arts venues on campus. Our most prestigious venue, The Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Arts, hosts an array of world-renowned performers and showcases student and faculty work. The alignment of this venue with the college advances our position at the forefront of performing arts education. The Department of Theatre offers three degrees: BA Theatre, BFA Theatre Performance, and BFA Screen Acting. Students train in a strong professional theatre curriculum and participate in high-quality productions, all while enjoying the benefits of a liberal arts university located just a short drive from Hollywood and the vibrant SoCal performing arts and entertainment industries. Our students gain real-world experience working onstage and backstage with industry professionals and renowned faculty. Our entire team is dedicated to delivering an education with strong professional ethics that empowers students to pursue their chosen careers. The department seeks a forward-thinking practitioner of the performing arts for the 21st century. Responsibilities This is a full-time appointment to teach four acting classes in fall 2026. The ideal candidate must be able to teach beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting courses such as Acting Fundamentals, Character Building, Text Analysis, Meisner Technique, and/or Shakespeare. The Department of Theatre, College of Performing Arts, and the University value personalized faculty collaboration with undergraduate students. The faculty member will be expected to advise, mentor, and encourage undergraduate students in the courses they teach. Qualifications Terminal degree (MFA or PhD) conferred prior to August 1, 2026 Professional and ongoing experience in acting training Significant experience and commitment to outstanding teaching at the undergraduate level Strong pedagogical approach that is informed by acting or directing p rofessionally. Experience teaching learning outcomes that correspond to existing curricula. Application Instructions Qualified candidates are invited to electronically submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, teaching statement, and reference information. If you have questions about this positon please contact Dr. Jocelyn L. Buckner, Chair of the Department of Theatre, at theatresearch@chapman.edu . Prospective candidates are encouraged to submit their materials by 5:00pm on Friday, May 8, 2026 (Pacific Standard Time). The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The pay range for this position is $34,000-$38,000. This position is subject to final budget approval. Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Chapman University is an equal opportunity employer that provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their protected characteristics. All qualified applicants and employees are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.