Assistant Professor - Musical Theatre - #120565

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee (NC)

On-site

USD 70,000 - 95,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Tuition waivers

Free group exercise classes

Discounted recreation center

Free vaccines on campus

Pre-tax flexible spending accounts

12 paid holidays

Paid community service leave

Training & development programs

Job summary

Western Carolina University’s School of Stage & Screen invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre. The candidate should excel in music direction, collaborate with directors and designers, and inspire students toward professional readiness.

The position emphasizes teaching, production, and scholarship, with an expected workload of 60% teaching/production, 20% service, and 20% creative activity. Start date: August 2027.

Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate musical theatre courses (musicianship, song study, acting the song, audition prep, vocal coaching, ensembles).
Ability to sight read and accompany performers on piano in class, auditions and performances.
Broad knowledge of repertoire, styles, and practices including contemporary commercial music.
Demonstrated skill in music directing theatrical productions and preparing students for professional rehearsal and performance.

Responsibilities

Teach undergraduate musical theatre courses; course releases may be provided for production duties like music direction.
Engage in production activity, service, and scholarly/creative work.
Contribute to curriculum development, assessment, recruitment, and program growth.

Skills

Teaching undergraduate musical theatre

Sight-reading & piano accompaniment

Musical theatre repertoire knowledge

Music directing experience

Musicianship development

Collaboration with production teams

Mentoring students

Curriculum development

Diversity and inclusion focus

Education

Terminal degree in Musical Theatre or related field

Master's degree with substantial teaching/industry experience

Job description

Assistant Professor - Musical Theatre - #120565

Posting Details

Posting Number: FAC967P
Quick Link for Internal Postings: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/35494
Classification Title: Assistant Professor
Working Title: Assistant Professor - Musical Theatre - #120565
Department: School of Stage & Screen
About WCU:

2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

This position is located on WCU's main campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

The School of Stage & Screen at Western Carolina University invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre. We seek an energetic, collaborative, and student-centered artist-educator with expertise in music direction and musicianship who is excited to contribute to the continued growth and national visibility of our BFA Musical Theatre program. The anticipated start date is August 2027.

The successful candidate will join an engaged community of working artists and educators committed to preparing versatile, thoughtful, and resilient musical theatre professionals. We welcome candidates who bring an active professional practice, a passion for undergraduate teaching, and an interest in helping shape the evolving future of musical theatre training.

The expected workload for this position is 60% teaching and production activity, 20% service, and 20% creative scholarship, research, or publication. The standard teaching assignment is nine credit hours per semester, with course releases provided for assigned production responsibilities such as music direction. Specific teaching and production assignments will be determined by program needs and the successful candidate's areas of expertise. Specific teaching and production assignments will be determined according to program needs and the successful candidate's areas of expertise.

The BFA Musical Theatre program is guided by four core values: Authentic Curiosity, Daring Experimentation, Joyful Contribution, and Radical Critical Thought. Through our shared commitment to these values, we cultivate a compassionate and inclusive artistic community that honors its members, encourages meaningful risk‑taking, and holds space for growth, inspiration, belonging, and excellence.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate musical theatre courses, which may include musicianship, song study, acting the song, audition preparation, vocal coaching, and musical theatre ensembles.
Ability to sight read and accompany musical theatre performers in class, auditions and performance on piano.
Broad knowledge of musical theatre repertoire, styles, and performance practices, including contemporary commercial music.
Demonstrated skill in music directing theatrical productions and preparing students for professional rehearsal and performance expectations.
Ability to develop students' musicianship, sight-reading, score preparation, musical interpretation, and stylistic versatility across a range of prior training and experience.
Ability to collaborate effectively with directors, choreographers, designers, accompanists, production personnel, faculty, guest artists, and student artists.
Ability to advise and mentor students in their academic, artistic, and professional development.
Ability to contribute collaboratively to curriculum development, assessment, recruitment, retention, shared governance, and the broader work of the School of Stage & Screen.
Commitment to supporting students from a broad range of backgrounds, identities, experiences, and levels of prior access to musical training.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must possess one of the following:

A terminal degree in Musical Theatre, Music Direction, Music, Theatre, Vocal Performance, Music Education, or a closely related field, completed by the anticipated start date;

A Master's degree in an appropriate field combined with significant professional experience in musical theatre and/or substantial teaching experience at the university or professional level;

Preferred Qualifications

Professional experience as a music director, conductor, vocal coach, vocal director, arranger, and/or composer.
Experience teaching or coaching healthy, sustainable vocal production across varied musical theatre styles.
A record of excellence in undergraduate teaching and the successful engagement of students in creative or professional activities.
Experience with curriculum development, program assessment, or academic program growth.

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week

Number of Months Per Year

Posting Text

Open Date: 09/23/2026

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents