Assistant Professor of Acting (Tenure Track)

Carnegie Mellon University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama invites applicants for a full-time Acting faculty position (tenure track) to join our BFA Acting/Music Theatre program in Pittsburgh, beginning August 2027. The appointee will teach courses in Acting to undergraduate majors and participate in mentoring, service, and professional practice activities.

Qualified candidates hold a terminal degree in theater or related field (or professional equivalent) and have two to three years of higher education

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in theater, drama, or related field.
• Two to three years of higher education teaching experience or equivalent.
• Active professional practice and ability to connect industry to teaching.
• Strong knowledge of Stanislavski and other acting techniques.

Responsibilities

• Teach Acting to undergraduate Acting and Music Theatre majors.
• Mentor, coach, and advise on productions.
• Participate in School/College/University committees.
• Engage in School of Drama life and advance professional practices.

Skills

Acting pedagogy

Teaching experience

Stanislavski method

Acting for stage and screen

Education

Terminal degree in theater/drama

Professional equivalent experience

Job description

Carnegie Mellon University: College of Fine Arts: Drama

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Open Date

Oct 05, 2026

Deadline

Dec 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description

The School of Drama within the College of Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon University invites applicants for a full-time Acting faculty position (tenure track) to join our BFA Acting/Music Theater program.

This position is Pittsburgh-based and begins August 2027.

The appointee will teach courses in Acting to undergraduate Acting and Music Theatre majors.

In addition to teaching, it is expected that the successful candidate will engage in other duties such as:

• mentoring, coaching, and advising on productions,
• administrative service, including School, College and/or University-level committees,
• engaging in the life and events of the School of Drama,
• maintaining and advancing professional practices.

Starting salary is $80,000 and will be adjusted based on the candidate's qualifications and experience and includes a full benefits package.

Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.

Qualifications

Candidates should hold a terminal degree in theater, drama, or a related field(s), or have professional equivalent experience, and have a strong ability to teach acting.

The ideal candidate will have two to three years of teaching experience in a higher education setting or equivalent experience leading workshops, master classes, or residencies with university-level students. Active practice in the professional world is essential; we seek individuals who can apply their experience of their professional practice to their teaching.

We seek a colleague with an in-depth understanding of teaching acting fundamentals rooted in Stanislavski and a knowledge of other acting techniques that span heightened and contemporary language scene study across the mediums of stage and screen.

A strong candidate is a dynamic and student-centered teacher who can offer a variety of acting training to all levels of our student population, especially: Acting I (Intro to Acting) and Acting II (Contemporary and Heightened Speech scene work) or Acting III (style-specific scene work). Partnering with other acting faculty members, the ideal candidate will possess the adaptability to work within the current curriculum while also working to broaden and deepen its scope.

Additional expertise or experience in other areas, including but not limited to Acting for the Camera, Movement, Fight and/or Intimacy choreography, Directing, Audition Technique, Improvisation, Devising, etc. is encouraged. Familiarity with musical theater and its multiple subject areas is a plus.

Carnegie Mellon Universityis an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, family status, marital status, parental status, religion, ancestry, veteran status, or genetic information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.