Assistant Professor - Musical Theatre Performance
Assistant Tenure Track Professor / Musical Theatre Performance
The Theatre Department in the Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA) at Point Park University invites applications for a full-time tenure track assistant professor specializing in Musical Theatre beginning August 2024. A terminal degree (M.F.A. in Musical Direction or MM) or the equivalent professional experience is required. As a department committed to equity, diversity, access, and inclusion, we seek an artist/educator with training and experience that will support our diverse student body and increase the incorporation of inclusive pedagogies in our classrooms. The ideal candidate will demonstrate success in teaching and guiding students who come from a diverse personal, educational, artistic, and socio-economic background.
About the Position: The Department seeks an energized colleague to join a collegial group of collaborative faculty, staff, and students. Our rigorous conservatory training is selective and tailored for the professional singer/actor/dancer focused on individual artistic development and acquiring professional skills for today’s performance industry. All applicants are expected to be qualified to teach courses in musical theatre repertoire, the business aspects of musical theatre, a performance-based ensemble class culminating in a workshop production, and additional areas related to the candidate's expertise. The ideal candidate has skills as a pianist, arranger, and musical director, has a vast knowledge of traditional and contemporary musicals as well as pop/rock/country/R&B music, is comfortable with new technology and current business trends, and has a significant connection to the industry, particularly in NYC.
Candidates should expect to work closely with undergraduate students and be able to communicate effectively with a diverse group, both orally and in writing. Principle responsibilities include teaching, service to the department, advising and mentoring. Faculty are expected to conduct creative activity/research in their area of expertise.
About the Department and Program: Housed within the Theatre Department of Point Park University’s prestigious Conservatory of Performing Arts, the Musical Theatre program offers a rigorous B.F.A. that combines performance experience with intense training by internationally recognized expert teachers, directors, and choreographers. The department offers B.F.A. degrees in theatre arts, acting, musical theatre and theatre production. The department mission focuses on fostering a highly collaborative artistic environment. The B.F.A. in musical theatre is an eight-semester sequence which places a strong emphasis in all areas of musical theatre: acting, music and dance; and is designed to prepare graduates for a career in the professional theatre. For numerous years, Point Park University has been ranked on Playbill.com’s list of the 10 Most Represented Colleges on Broadway and continues to be considered one of the top BFA musical theatre programs in the country.
About the University & COPA: Located in the heart of one of the most livable cities in the US, Point Park University is a vibrant, urban campus located at the periphery of historic Market Square in downtown Pittsburgh, with an enrollment of approximately 4000 full and part-time students in more than 50 areas of academic study. With 300 full-time undergraduate students, the Theatre Department is one of three departments in the University’s nationally recognized Conservatory of Performing Arts. Admission to COPA is competitive with students matriculating from 47 states and around the world. The conservatory is dedicated to building the skills needed for success in today’s creative economy.
About the Pittsburgh Playhouse – The award-winning Pittsburgh Playhouse is housed in the new state-of-the-art 90,411 square-foot center for arts and entertainment. The Playhouse serves as the primary artistic laboratory for the prestigious Conservatory of Performing Arts and is Pittsburgh’s newest home for arts and entertainment. This four-story world-class facility located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh features the 550-seat PNC Theatre; the 200-seat Highmark Theatre; and the 99-seat Rauh Theatre. The Playhouse provides exceptional experiential learning opportunities and is designed to be both a learning laboratory and a cultural asset for the community.
Application Procedure: Please submit a letter of application, CV, samples of creative work, a statement of teaching philosophy, a statement of equity/diversity/inclusion initiatives, and a list of three professional references with contact information by email to: musicaltheatre2@pointpark.edu
In the email, please note that the subject line MUST STATE: Assistant Tenure Track Professor / Musical Theatre Performance
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Preference will be given to applicants who submit their materials by 1/6/2024.
For additional information, visit
https://www.pointpark.edu/academics/schools/copa/copadeptsmajors/theatre/acting
Applicants must have authorization to work in the United States and not require employer sponsorship.