Adjunct Instructor in Film Acting

SUNY Ulster; Stone Ridge (NY); On-site; USD 2,000 - 3,400; Part time

Job summary

SUNY Ulster in the Catskills seeks an adjunct instructor for film acting to begin January 2027. The role entails in-person instruction on the Stone Ridge campus, with daytime classes on Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu.

The ideal candidate will have professional on-camera acting experience and can translate industry practices into engaging classroom experiences. A Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is required; prior college teaching is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Professional on-camera acting experience on film/TV/commercials.
• Strong acting-for-camera techniques and camera workflows.
• Proficiency with camera and video-production equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot common production issues in class.
• Knowledge of audition and self-tape practices.
• Commitment to hands-on learning and mentoring community college students.

Responsibilities

• Meet each scheduled class and teach or conduct learning exercises.
• Provide course information including grading and evaluation methods.
• Maintain required class records on attendance and grading.
• Submit reports and class information sheets as required.
• Comply with institutional policies and communications.
• Monitor communications from administrative offices and SUNY Ulster email.
• Maintain a gradebook in Brightspace.

Skills

On-camera acting

Acting-for-camera techniques

Camera and video equipment

Troubleshooting production equipment

Interpersonal communication

Teaching/mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Acting/Performance/Film

Equivalent professional experience

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Brightspace LMS

Video production equipment

Job description

Part-time Starting Spring 2027

Position Summary:

SUNY Ulster, a two-year branch of the State University of New York located ninety miles north of New York City in the Catskill Mountains, is currently seeking an adjunct instructor for film acting to begin in January 2027.

Under the general supervision of the Program Coordinator of Media & Performing Arts, the Adjunct Instructor will provide instruction, demonstrations, and assignments related to Film Acting / Acting for the Camera in accordance with approved course descriptions, outlines, and schedules. The instructor will evaluate student progress, provide constructive feedback, and perform other instructional duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will bring professional, firsthand experience as an actor working on film, television, commercial, or comparable media productions and be able to translate current industry practices into an engaging, hands-on classroom experience. Candidates currently working in the field are highly desirable. Previous higher education teaching experience or relevant experience preferred. Community college teaching experience is also preferred.

Applicants need to be able to instruct the course in an in-person format, either a Monday / Wednesday or Tuesday / Thursday schedule. The course will be taught during the day on the Stone Ridge campus in the spring 2027 semester. The course begins the week of January 24th, 2027 and ends Monday May 8th, 2027. Spring break is March 8th - 13th.

Catalog Course Description:

Students apply the tools and vocabularies developed in studio work to acting in front of the camera. The physical freedoms and limitations of particular shots, from handheld to extreme close-up, are examined. Topics include the professional audition, voice over acting and techniques for working on location are developed. Semester(s) Offered: Spring

Learning Outcomes for Course:

1. Develop authentic acting skills for film acting.
2. Discover and practice solid on camera acting technique.
3. Demonstrate a strong awareness of how actors collaborate in the classroom and in performance that capture the writer and director’s intentions.
4. Demonstrate a strong personal discipline, responsibility, and cooperation while working with others during the rehearsal, performance and film acting process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Meet each scheduled class and teach or conduct learning exercises for the entire period.
• Contact the appropriate division chair or administrator in advance to make arrangements for unavoidable absences.
• Provide each student at the beginning of the course with written information about the course, to include a full description of the grading system and how the student will be evaluated.
• Accurately keep required class records on attendance, withdrawal and grading.
• Submit when due, all necessary reports such as attendance and grade reports, roll books, and class information sheets, and certify as to their accuracy.
• Comply with all institutional policies and procedures.
• Give careful attention to all bulletins, memorandums and emails from administrative offices.
• Check faculty mailbox and SUNY Ulster email frequently.
• Maintain a gradebook in Brightspace.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Acting, Performance, Theatre, Film, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Professional on-camera acting experience on film, television, commercial, or comparable productions, with a strong understanding of professional set protocols and workflows.
• Strong knowledge of acting-for-camera techniques, including framing, eyelines, continuity, blocking, hitting marks, multiple takes, coverage, and adjusting performance for different shot sizes.
• Strong proficiency with camera and video-production equipment, including camera setup and operation, recording, monitoring, audio, and playback for immediate review and critique of student performances.
• Ability to troubleshoot common camera, recording, playback, and production-equipment issues during classroom exercises.
• Knowledge of contemporary audition and self-tape practices and the ability to prepare students for professional on-camera environments.
• Demonstrated commitment to active, hands-on learning and innovative teaching.
• Strong interest in teaching and mentoring community college students, with excellent interpersonal, communication, and technology skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Acting, Performance, Theatre, Film, Media, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Currently active in the film, television, commercial, or media production industry, particularly in on-camera performance.
• Evidence of successful teaching, coaching, or mentoring in acting, film, or related disciplines, preferably at the college level.
• Familiarity with Brightspace or a comparable Learning Management System.
• Demonstrated ability to engage students through dynamic, hands-on instruction that integrates acting technique with practical on-camera exercises, recording, playback, critique, and real-world industry practices.

Salary:

$1049.00 per credit.

We invite you to be part of a dedicated community of learners in an academic department that puts students first. Please go to www.sunyulster.edu for additional campus community information.

SUNY Ulster is an Affir... The college encourages applications from all qualified applicants. This position is contingent upon adequate funding. Offer and assignment of employment is subject to verification of all information provided on the employment application, credentials, transcripts, fingerprint check, verification of the right to work in the United States and all other required pre-employment conditions are met.

Applicants who are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and who, due to a disability, require accommodations for completing the application process, testing (if required for the position), or the interview, should notify the Human Resources Office 10 working days before the accommodation is required.

Neither the smoking of tobacco (nor other substances) nor the use of electronic vaporizers is permitted on the campus grounds.

SUNY Ulster does not reimburse applicants for travel, lodging or any other costs incurred by applicant to attend interviews. All interviewing costs incurred will be the responsibility of the applicant. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. Internal applicants are not guaranteed an interview.