Associate Professor of Theatre & Performance (Performance Practice)

William & Mary and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Health insurance with expanded dental/

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Educational assistance

Professional development

Wellness benefits

Housings relocation resources

Campus fitness facilities

University libraries access

Job summary

The Department of Theatre & Performance at William & Mary invites applications for a tenured Associate Professor position in Performance Practice and directing, beginning August 10, 2027. We seek scholars with expertise in innovative reinterpretations and global majority theatre, including LGBTQ and feminist theatre, and with strong academic leadership.

Responsibilities include research, teaching of two courses per semester, and service to the university; candidates should demonstrate potential

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MFA at appointment begins August 10, 2027.
• Completed 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline they will teach.
• Experience with research in performance practice and directing with a focus on innovative reinterpretations of traditional practices.
• Evidence of the ability to establish and/or maintain a vibrant research program, which may include their own practice and/or scholarly publications.
• Experience teaching courses in performance practice and directing and other lecture and seminar-style courses.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to academic leadership.

Responsibilities

• Research, teaching, and service to the University.
• Establish and maintain a vibrant research program that inspires undergraduate students.
• Teaching expectation is 2 courses per semester including directing departmental productions.
• Candidates who can contribute to musical/dance theatre genres, acting, stage combat or other performance technique classes will be given high consideration.

Education

Ph.D. or MFA

18 graduate credit hours

Research in performance practice

Academic leadership

Teaching performance practice and directing

Job description

Job Requisition:

JR102087 Associate Professor of Theatre & Performance (Performance Practice) (Open)

Job Posting Title:

Associate Professor of Theatre & Performance (Performance Practice)

Department:

CC00088 WM001 | CAS | Theatre & Performance

Job Family:

Faculty - Tenure Track (Less than 12 months)

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular (benefited)

Job Requisition Primary Location:

Phi Beta Kappa Hall

Primary Job Posting Location:

Posting Location - William & Mary

Job Description Summary:

The Department of Theatre & Performance at William & Mary, a public university of the Commonwealth of Virginia, seeks applications for a tenured position at the Associate Professor level in performance practice and directing. Appointment will begin August 10, 2027. We are interested in individuals with research and teaching expertise in innovative reinterpretations of traditional practices. Preferred research areas include nonwestern or global majority theatre and performance (Asian, African, Black, Latine, Indigenous), and/or LGBTQ and feminist theatre. Candidate must have academic leadership experience.

Duties include research, teaching, and service to the University. The applicant is expected to establish and maintain a vibrant research program that inspires a highly motivated undergraduate student body.

Teaching expectation is 2 courses per semester. Successful applicants must possess the skills to teach compelling courses in performance practice and directing (including directing departmental productions) and other lecture and seminar-style courses related to their specific research area. Candidates who can contribute to musical/dance theatre genres, acting, stage combat or other performance technique classes will be given high consideration.

Job Description:

Required Qualifications:

• Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or MFA at the time appointment begins (August 10, 2027).
• Applicants must have completed 18 graduate credit hours in the discipline in which they will teach.
• Experience with research in performance practice and directing with a focus on innovative reinterpretations of traditional practices.
• Evidence of the ability to establish and/or maintain a vibrant research program, which may include their own practice and/or scholarly publications.
• Experience teaching courses in performance practice and directing and other lecture and seminar-style courses.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to academic leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in teaching and mentoring successful undergraduate research.
• Evidence of scholarly achievement or demonstrated potential as a scholar/practitioner.
• Preferred research areas include nonwestern or global majority theatre and performance (Asian, African, Black, Latine, Indigenous), and/or LGBTQ and feminist theatre.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to teaching musical/dance theatre genres, acting, stage combat or other performance technique classes.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position may require additional hours beyond the typical work week, including occasional overnight and weekend work as needed to meet the business needs of the operation.

Applicants are encouraged to reflect on teaching and mentoring practices that advance academic excellence and success of all learners/scholars in Theatre in any of the aforementioned required documents.

Candidates who reach the first-round virtual interview stage will be prompted to submit online the names and email addresses of three references who will be contacted by the system with instructions for how to submit a letter of reference.

For full consideration, submit application materials no later than October 16, 2026. Applications received after the initial application deadline will be considered if needed. All required supplemental application materials mentioned above must be clearly identified and included with your application for full consideration.

Information on the degree programs in the Department of Theatre & Performance may be found at https://www.wm.edu/as/theatre-performance/

Benefits

• retirement
• health insurance with options for expanded dental and vision
• group and optional life insurance with coverage for spouse and children
• flexible spending accounts
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• educational assistance
• professional development
• wellness benefits
• a robust holiday schedule
• Housing Relocation Resources are also available to help new employees transition successfully to the area.
• All employees have access to fitness facilities on campus
• All employees have access to the university libraries

Applicant Notice:By applying for this position, you consent to William & Mary’s use, review, and retention of your application materials for recruitment and employment purposes. Materials may be shared with authorized individuals participating in the hiring process and will be managed in accordance with applicable laws and university policies.

Additional Job Description:

Job Profile:

JP0517 - Associate Professor (Less than 12 months) TE - Exempt - Salary - S99

Qualifications:

Compensation Grade:

S99

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-09-15

Position Restrictions:

Continuing E&G funded position and not term-limited

EEO is the Law.Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the “Know Your Rights” poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

Background Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Applicant Notice: By applying for this position, you consent to William & Mary’s use, review, and retention of your application materials for recruitment and employment purposes. Materials may be shared with authorized individuals participating in the hiring process and will be managed in accordance with applicable laws and university policies.

Probationary Period Notice: Individuals selected for full-time staff positions will be required to complete a twelve (12) month probationary period in accordance with university policy.

Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.