Title: Asst Professor U of M/Theater

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Humanities & Fine Arts

Department: Theater

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full Time

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Job Summary

The Department of Theater and the Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invite applications for a joint faculty position in Theater. This is a full-time nine-month tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level to begin September 1, 2027. Applications are encouraged from those who specialize in theater for social change and performance tools for non-actors, with a preference for a specialist in Black theater aesthetics. The successful candidate will be an impressive professional practitioner whose experience speaks directly to the application of theater, especially performance techniques for students who do not specialize in theater.

Essential Functions

This professor will develop and teach two general education honors courses a year expressly to Commonwealth Honors College students, the vast majority of whom are non-majors. General Education courses may include such topics as: theater for social change; acting for the non-actor; gender and identity in performance; improvisation and theater games. The professor will also teach more specialized courses in playwriting, devised theater, acting, theater for social transformation, dance and movement, and/or directing for Theater majors and will direct or otherwise contribute to the Department of Theater’s main stage season.

In addition, the successful candidate will advise capstone/honors thesis performance projects, participate in departmental governance and service and maintain high professional activity at the national level.

Minimum Qualifications

M.F.A. in Directing or Acting, or Ph.D. in Theater required at the time of hire.
Demonstrated excellence in teaching acting and professional theater experience required.

Additional Details

About the Department of Theater

The Department of Theater, housed in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA), offers a major, a minor, a Multicultural Theater Certificate, and a graduate program that allows for specialization in one of five areas. Our productions are a laboratory for our students, and we welcome campus community members to be artists and audiences with us.
Our training has led alums into careers in theater, both onstage and behind the scenes; in television and film; and in a whole host of fields where collaboration, creative problem solving, and thoughtful research are valued.

About the Commonwealth Honors College

Commonwealth Honors College is the flagship honors college for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a nationally recognized residential community that serves the land grant mission of UMass Amherst. Honors students benefit from small honors classes and close-knit ties with faculty that enrich the honors thesis experience and student success.
For more information on living, working, and learning in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts please visit:
https://www.umass.edu/faculty-development/prospective-faculty


This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

100%fte. Weekend and evening work required.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: Assistant Professor

The University expects to pay within an approximate range between $79,350 and $125,234 for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is a 9-month academic year appointment at 100% full-time equivalency with full benefits.

Please note: The low end of this range is based on the minimum salary for the rank included in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, UMass Amherst/MTA/NEA. The high-end of the pay range reflects an increase above the median salaries at this rank within the department for faculty who may have multiple years of faculty experience. The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors, including faculty rank and required relevant certifications, when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application for employment, please submit 1) a letter of application; 2) curriculum vitae or detailed professional resume; 3) a teaching philosophy statement and 3) full contact information including email addresses and phone contact information for three references willing to provide references in the future.

In addition, please provide a portfolio or samples of your recent professional projects. This may include links to a website, videos, or submission of publications and writing samples.

Address your cover letter to the Chair of the Search Committee discussing your interest in the position, artistic aims, ability to contribute meaningfully to the present and future activities of the Department of Theater and the Commonwealth Honors College, and how your work as artist, teacher, academic citizen and public servant would further the university’s values and goals as outlined in the university’s strategic plan. You can find these values and goals in our strategic plan here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.

Additional supporting materials, including three letters of recommendation, may be requested from finalists. Application materials will not be returned.

Review of applications will begin October 12, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Applications received after October 26, 2026 may not be reviewed.

If you have questions about this position, please contact the Chair of the Search Committee, Priscilla Page, via email at pmpage@theater.umass.edu.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.