Assistant Professor of Theatre Studies

Assistant Professor of Theatre Studies

College: College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and The
Arts – 321 College

Dept/School: Theatre – 32122

Vacancy Number: 16F-799

Position Number: 3584

Location of Workplace: Main UNCW Campus

Brief Summary of Work for this Position:

The Department of Theatre at the University of North Carolina
Wilmington invites applications for a tenure-track position as
Assistant Professor of Theatre Studies to begin August 2027.

Teaching responsibilities may include courses in dramatic
literature, performance studies, theatre history, introductory
theatre courses, and courses related to the candidate’s scholarly
and creative expertise. In addition to a full teaching load, the
successful candidate will be expected to serve on both departmental
and university committees as well as maintain an active publishing
and/or creative scholarly agenda.

We particularly welcome candidates who can articulate their
approach to pedagogy and demonstrate an ongoing investment in
developing their teaching. The area of specialization is open.
We’re seeking someone whose work complements existing faculty
strengths and expands the intellectual and artistic breadth of the
program. Research may draw upon a range of historical periods,
geographic and cultural contexts, methodologies, theatrical forms,
or interdisciplinary approaches to theatre studies.

The successful candidate will be an active participant in the
intellectual, creative, and organizational life of a future-looking
department. We seek a colleague who values collaborating and
contributing to the long-term development of the theatre
program.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Ph.D. or DFA in Theatre or Performance Studies at the time of
application

• Experience teaching at the university level

• Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate teaching and
mentorship

• Demonstrated potential for significant scholarly
productivity

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills &
Experience:

Preference will be given to candidates

• who demonstrate a clear pedagogical approach and an ongoing
investment in developing their teaching

• whose work complements existing faculty strengths and expands
the intellectual and artistic breadth of the program

Required Certifications or Licensure:

Primary Function of Organizational Unit:

The UNCW Department of Theatre provides high-quality education in
the study and practice of theatre within a liberal arts
environment. We combine pre-professional training with a solid
academic core to prepare our students for numerous career pathways
in theatre, film, and other related disciplines. We provide
students a range of production opportunities to enhance their
knowledge and love of the artform and offer outreach programs
designed to serve both the university community and the greater
Wilmington area.

College/School Information:

The College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (CHSSA) is
home to 14 academic departments and offers a wide variety of
undergraduate and graduate degree programs including the Bachelor
of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts,
Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Public Administration as well as
combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs in Spanish and
English. The CHSSA also houses the Gender Studies and Research
Center and the Academic Resource Center, which offers full-service,
professional advising for all CHSSA undergraduate students.

In addition, the CHSSA offers a full complement of
interdisciplinary minors and post baccalaureate certificates
including: Africana studies, American studies, Asian studies,
classical studies, conflict management and resolution, emergency
and disaster management, forensic science, Hispanic studies,
journalism, Latin American studies, medical humanities, Middle East
and Islamic studies, Native American studies, professional writing
and publishing, science and medical writing, and women’s, gender,
and sexuality studies.

The CHSSA contributes significantly to the curriculum that
comprises UNCW’s University Studies Program, through which all
undergraduates gain a foundation in the liberal arts and develop
the transferable skills essential for life in the twenty-first
century. The CHSSA strives in its undergraduate programs and in its
University Study offerings to nurture creative thinking,
intellectual curiosity, and academic integrity in students while
providing them with a solid foundation of knowledge in their chosen
fields. Graduate programs in the CHSSA are designed to develop
intellectual competence and to prepare the student for careers in
business, industry, government, teaching or for further study at
the doctoral level.

Applied learning is a hallmark of the student experience in the
College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts. Each of the
CHSSA’s departments requires an applied learning experience as a
part of the curriculum for its undergraduate majors. Examples
include faculty-directed research, internships, service learning,
and capstone courses and projects, all of which challenge students
to integrate various strands of knowledge and to apply that
knowledge to broader, real-world or real disciplinary
situations.

Upon completion of their studies, all CHSSA students will have the
necessary preparation for rewarding careers, advanced study,
effective citizenship, and meaningful lives. The College of
Humanities, Social Science, and the Arts offers limitless
opportunities to engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary
research and service while also making a positive societal impact.
Come and join our vibrant academic environment that values
discovery, innovation, and creativity.

University Information:

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal
university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring,
research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class
faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level
for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful
academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical
thinking.

A public institution with nearly 18,000 students, UNCW offers a
full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well
as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology,
nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning
options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-BSN
program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working
professionals, and the nation’s only bachelor’s degree program
focused on coastal engineering.

The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly
activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral
Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University)
by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher
Education.

UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since
1969.

Eligibility for Employment:

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender
background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor
vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal
law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment
eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United
States.

Number of Openings: Single Incumbent

Special Notes to Applicants:

Prior to the official appointment to the university, the candidate
selected for hire must be able to demonstrate eligibility to teach
assigned courses by successfully meeting the credentialing
requirements based on official transcripts and other documentation
as required.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59PM EST on the posting
closing date. To apply, please complete the online application
available at https://jobs.uncw.edu/ and attach the
following materials as Adobe PDF documents:

• Cover Letter addressed to Search Committee Chair Mark
Sorensen

• Curriculum Vita

• Teaching Philosophy

Additional materials may be requested from applicants invited to
interview for the position.

Please note that a minimum of three references are required for all
applications. The reference contact information you provide may be
used to request reference letters during the screening
process.

Letters of application without the requested components will not
meet the application requirements.

Questions about the position or the online application process
should be directed to CHSSA Recruitment Specialist Jennifer Itell @
itellj@uncw.edu.

Position Type: Permanent

Job Posting Date: 09/30/2026

Job Close Date: 11/02/2026

To apply, visit https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/40975

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for
employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender
identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color,
national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual
orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military
service member status, genetic information, or relationship to
other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability
represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or
where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility
criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

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