University of Delaware

CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE RESIDENT ENSEMBLE PLAYERS (TENURED, FULL PROFESSOR APPOINTMENT) IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE

INTRODUCTION:

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Delaware, seeks a dynamic, visionary leader for the position of chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance and producing artistic director of the UD Resident Ensemble Players (REP), a professional equity company on the university campus. We seek a candidate who possesses a transformative, positive, collaborative, and inspiring leadership style. The ideal candidate will be an artistic and administrative leader who champions theatre and dance throughout the public and private sectors, and promotes the diverse research, scholarship, and community engagement carried out by our faculty, students, and professional staff of the REP. This unique position provides an opportunity for a novel thinker and relational leader to advance a spirit of creativity and innovation in teaching, scholarly/creative activity, and service among a diverse faculty and professional staff of the REP.

QUALIFICATIONS and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Qualifications: A terminal degree in theatre and/or dance is required. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience leading and administering an academic department unit in theatre or dance with an established record of excellence in the artistic direction of a professional theatre company. The ideal candidate should possess a significant national or international reputation as a director, artist, designer, and/or scholar who is committed to excellence in student success. A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is key to this multifaceted position. The candidate should be committed to strengthening existing collaborations and establishing new partnerships with professional, industry, and arts organizations regionally, nationally, and internationally. Distinguished record of professional accomplishment that merits an appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure.

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be instrumental in crafting and implementing an innovative vision and strategy that builds upon and broadens the regional, national, and international reputation of the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Resident Ensemble Players. This administrative role necessitates the facilitation of an environment conducive to exceptional creative work, scholarship, and student success with an inclusive understanding of socially engaged practice. The ideal candidate will foster interdisciplinary collaborations among department faculty and REP staff across the college and university. Essential to this position are: managing complex budgeting models; success with fundraising and development; oversight of recruitment activities; dedication to equity and inclusion across the faculty, professional staff, and student body; orchestrating successful performance seasons for both the REP and the department; and establishing relationships throughout the university, the local community, and beyond. The chair/artistic director will report to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE AND THE REP AT UD:

The Department of Theatre and Dance is an integral part of a Research I institution with a liberal arts core. Offering six distinct minors in dance, theatre performance, theatre production, theatre studies, musical theatre, and healthcare theatre. Broadening students’ education within the context of a liberal arts education is of utmost importance. Beginning fall 2024, the bachelor’s of arts in theatre studies will be offered with plans for a bachelor’s of arts in dance and interdisciplinary studies to begin fall 2025. The department’s distinguished faculty are nationally and internationally recognized, and engage in partnerships across the university, within the local community and beyond. The Resident Ensemble Players, Delaware’s resident professional acting company, is integrated with the Department of Theatre & Dance. Professional actors, designers, and staff have opportunities to teach classes for the various theatre minors, providing students with a unique and rich curriculum of study. Both the Department of Theatre & Dance and the REP are committed to celebrating and supporting a diverse and inclusive community of excellence in all people. 

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Delaware offers exceptional educational experiences including integrated instruction, research, and public engagement. With 23 academic departments and more than 25 centers, programs and institutes, the College serves more than 6,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students with CAS majors, but also every single University student through fundamental course work. The College’s 600 faculty members emphasize the enduring value of an arts and science education and share a deep commitment to excellence in scholarship and all forms of creative and intellectual expression. The College has departments in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and features outstanding research and teaching facilities. Faculty and staff encourage and support innovative interdisciplinary collaborations and students engage local, national, and global audiences through research and creative activity. With annual research expenditures of approximately $35 million, the College currently houses several large, interdisciplinary grants with significant funding from the NIH and NSF.

The University of Delaware (www.udel.edu) is one of the nation’s oldest institutions of higher education, combining tradition and innovation. The university recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the experience of its employees and in supporting its academic mission. We are committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds, and we strongly encourage applications from educators from under-represented groups. UD provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

TO APPLY: Applicants should upload a letter of application that includes a detailed and supported explanation of how the candidate meets the qualifications for this position; current curriculum vitae; and list of five professional references with contact information. Review of applications begins March 20, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. 

DATE OF APPOINTMENT: August 1, 2024

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Compensation packages are highly competitive; the UD benefits package is one of the best in the nation.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Edmund Nowak, Search Committee Chair at nowak@udel.edu.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html.