POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Department of Theatre and Dance at UC San Diego (http://theatre.ucsd.edu) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position as Chair of Theatre and Dance at the rank of Associate or Full Professor, with an appointment beginning July 1, 2023.

Located on the unceded territory of the Kumeyaay nation and in a unique borderlands region, UCSD’s highly ranked Theatre and Dance Department engages across a broad spectrum of embodied practices and rigorous study. We seek applicants invested in continuing to generate and support future generations of forward-thinking artists and scholars through their own dynamic experiences within the department’s intersecting areas of study (acting, directing, design, performance studies, dance, stage management and playwriting). The successful candidate will be expected to serve as Chair of the department for a minimum of 3-5 years, after which point they can continue their appointment via their specific area(s) of expertise.

The Chair position reports to the Dean of the School of Arts & Humanities and will be responsible for the Department’s overall management, academic planning, budget, personnel, resource allocation, and programs. The Chair will support the dean's fundraising efforts in regards to the department and will develop and maintain relationships with regional and national civic theatre and dance companies, including the La Jolla Playhouse. The Chair will also play a major role in the planning and development of the academic curriculum, much of which intersects with the department’s production schedule. As an Associate or Full Professor, the successful candidate is expected to maintain a robust research profile reflecting the rank at which they enter, while also participating in University and Departmental Service. Departmental service includes recruitment, curriculum development, season planning and a desire to collaboratively continue to build the applicable area(s) within the Theatre & Dance Department. Additionally, all tenured Ladder Rank faculty in the department carry a 5-course teaching load, distributed amongst graduate and both small and large enrollment undergraduate classes. During the successful candidate’s tenure as Chair, they will receive a substantial course-load reduction, and likewise, any reduction in research activity may be understood in relation to their work as Chair. Continued research productivity during this period is however encouraged and may therefore result in additional compensation.

As a department, we believe theatre and dance are transformational art forms that have the power and promise to change individuals and society. Transformation can only manifest when we are challenged as collaborators, liberated as creators, and respected as people. To amplify this mission, the department seeks to diversify its faculty in order to build a culturally diverse creative community, and strongly encourage applications from people of the global majority, LGBTQIA+ practitioners, and women. We welcome applicants who work across a range of perspectives and training modalities.

The "Summary of General Campus Department Chair Duties” can be found here: https://aps.ucsd.edu/_files/chairs/2018.08.24%20Summary%20of%20GC%20Chair%20Duties.pdf.

Review of applications will begin on December 15, 2022 with initial zoom interviews scheduled in early January 2023 and campus visits taking place by early February 2023. Applications will continue to be accepted and considered until the position is filled.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (Required at Time of Application)
Applicants should possess an MFA, PhD, and/or 3-5 years of administrative leadership experience in either the academy or in the professional theater industry.

5-10 years of a personal record of distinguished scholarly research, and/or professional accomplishments in a field of Theatre & Dance suitable for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.

3-5 years of evidence of mentoring students, and significant teaching experience in academic or studio environments.

5-10 years of dynamic leadership skills that include effective communication and facility with writing.

Preferred qualifications
Experience leading an academic department with multiple areas.

Demonstrated leadership in areas contributing to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as a commitment to advancing these principles within the Department and the School of Arts & Humanities.

History of fostering career development for early and mid-stage faculty.