Assistant Professor of Acting and Musical Theatre

Ball State University

Muncie, IN

ID: 7287894 (Ref.No. BSU45463)
Posted: 2 months ago
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

Ball State University seeks an individual with a commitment to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and entrepreneurial learning practices as an acting teacher and coach within the BFA acting and musical theatre areas. The successful candidate will be an accomplished pedagogue and educator who will serve as a content expert in the areas of diverse voices, pedagogies, and methodologies of underrepresented theatrical artists and authors, with particular emphasis on Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other artists of color. They will also serve as an active recruiter for the BFA programs with a clear commitment and steadfast dedication to the University’s strategic imperative and the Department’s mission statement of inclusive excellence.
The individual will play an active role in the crafting of curriculum and building connections within the discipline that will further enhance the opportunities presented to our students during and after their matriculation.
Ball State’s BFA performance options offer an innovative and demanding training curriculum consisting of rigorous and varied coursework, utilizing our production program as a true “laboratory” space, a strong foundation in an “actor first” mentality within all realms of storytelling, and an emphasis on synthesizing the body, voice, and mind. Applicants should be committed to inclusive pedagogies in their teaching, scholarship, and artistry.
Duties and Responsibilities include:
  • A teaching load that may include all levels of course work in acting, singing actor, audition, BIPOC theatrical forms, and introduction to theatre;
  • Serving as a content expert in the areas of diverse voices, pedagogies, and methodologies of underrepresented theatrical artists and authors, with particular emphasis on Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other artists of color;
  • Recruitment for the BFA programs with a clear commitment and steadfast dedication to the University’s strategic imperative and the Department’s mission statement of inclusive excellence;
  • Mentorship and coaching of upper-level students in conjunction with showcases and professional auditions;
  • Collaboration with colleagues on the vision, design, and management of the acting and musical theatre programs;
  • Work as a director, coach, or actor in assigned departmental productions;
  • A dedication and commitment to helping foster and cultivate overall student success;
  • Creating an active and tenure-worthy professional profile in the area of musical theatre and dance. This includes a balance of work in professional venues, scholarly activity, presentations at reputable conferences, and other related professional activities that benefit the candidate, University, Department, and students being served.
  • Fulfilling service obligations, including assigned committee work at the Department, College, and University level, on a national, regional, and local level.
  • Working in collaboration with theatre and dance faculty, staff, and students in facilitating the theatre and dance production program at Ball State University.

Salary and benefit packages for this position are competitive, with salaries for this opportunity beginning at $53,000 annually.

The Ball State University Department of Theatre and Dance invites applications for a tenure-line Assistant Professor of Acting and Musical Theatre beginning August of 2025

Job Function:

Ball State University seeks an individual with a commitment to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and entrepreneurial learning practices as an acting teacher and coach within the BFA acting and musical theatre areas. The successful candidate will be an accomplished pedagogue and educator who will serve as a content expert in the areas of diverse voices, pedagogies, and methodologies of underrepresented theatrical artists and authors, with particular emphasis on Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other artists of color. They will also serve as an active recruiter for the BFA programs with a clear commitment and steadfast dedication to the University’s strategic imperative and the Department’s mission statement of inclusive excellence.
The individual will play an active role in the crafting of curriculum and building connections within the discipline that will further enhance the opportunities presented to our students during and after their matriculation.
Ball State’s BFA performance options offer an innovative and demanding training curriculum consisting of rigorous and varied coursework, utilizing our production program as a true “laboratory” space, a strong foundation in an “actor first” mentality within all realms of storytelling, and an emphasis on synthesizing the body, voice, and mind. Applicants should be committed to inclusive pedagogies in their teaching, scholarship, and artistry.
Duties and Responsibilities include:
  • A teaching load that may include all levels of course work in acting, singing actor, audition, BIPOC theatrical forms, and introduction to theatre;
  • Serving as a content expert in the areas of diverse voices, pedagogies, and methodologies of underrepresented theatrical artists and authors, with particular emphasis on Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other artists of color;
  • Recruitment for the BFA programs with a clear commitment and steadfast dedication to the University’s strategic imperative and the Department’s mission statement of inclusive excellence;
  • Mentorship and coaching of upper-level students in conjunction with showcases and professional auditions;
  • Collaboration with colleagues on the vision, design, and management of the acting and musical theatre programs;
  • Work as a director, coach, or actor in assigned departmental productions;
  • A dedication and commitment to helping foster and cultivate overall student success;
  • Creating an active and tenure-worthy professional profile in the area of musical theatre and dance. This includes a balance of work in professional venues, scholarly activity, presentations at reputable conferences, and other related professional activities that benefit the candidate, University, Department, and students being served.
  • Fulfilling service obligations, including assigned committee work at the Department, College, and University level, on a national, regional, and local level.
  • Working in collaboration with theatre and dance faculty, staff, and students in facilitating the theatre and dance production program at Ball State University.

Salary and benefit packages for this position are competitive, with salaries for this opportunity beginning at $53,000 annually.

Minimum Experience:

  • Master’s degree in performance or equivalent professional experience completed by date of employment.
  • At least one year of experience as a content expert in the areas of diverse voices, pedagogies, and methodologies of underrepresented theatrical artists and authors, with particular emphasis on Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other artists of color;
  • Ability to take on a leadership role as an active recruiter for the BFA programs with a clear commitment and steadfast dedication to the University’s strategic imperative and the Department’s mission statement of inclusive excellence;
  • At least one year of experience as a performer, director, or coach that incorporates the fusion of singing and acting;
  • Ability to serve as an artist for production work when needed.

Preferred Experience:

  • M.F.A. in Acting completed by date of employment.
  • At least 24 months (three academic years) of teaching experience at the university/college level.
  • Experience and expertise as a coach of monologues, scenes, and songs at the collegiate level.
  • Experience teaching multiple levels of acting to students in a rigorous pre-professional academic setting.
  • Substantial experience as an actor, performer, director, or coach in prominent theatrical and performance venues including (but not limited to) Broadway, film and television, and/or major Regional Theatres across the country.
  • Connections and recognitions within the professional acting and/or musical theatre industries.


At Ball State University, we recognize inclusive excellence as an integral endeavor to fulfill our University’s mission and our strategic plan. We recruit, support, and retain a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. We encourage and reward diversity of thought. We promote a work environment that encourages and rewards innovation and creativity. We pledge to keep Inclusive Excellence at the highest level of institutional importance and as a foundation in all that we strive to do. Our over-arching goal for Inclusive Excellence is to adopt a university-wide Inclusive Excellence approach to academic, administrative support, and service functions of the university. We believe Inclusive Excellence must be infused in every step we take.