The Division of Theatre in the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor of Theatre, with a specialization in Theatre Studies and/or Playwriting, beginning August 1, 2027
We seek an exceptional scholar-practitioner whose work reflects sustained engagement with both the practice and study of theatre. The successful candidate will contribute to the intellectual and creative life of the Division through the teaching of theatre studies courses, including playwriting, while maintaining an active scholarly and/or creative practice. We welcome applicants whose work bridges disciplinary boundaries and who value collaboration, intellectual rigor, and the transformative possibilities of theatre.
This appointment will play an important role in the continued growth of the Division. Alongside our nationally recognized BFA and MFA conservatory programs, the recent launch of the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre has created new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration while reinforcing our commitment to rigorous artistic training, intellectual curiosity, and individualized mentorship.
The successful candidate will contribute to the undergraduate theatre studies curriculum through the teaching of courses that may include playwriting, theatre history, dramaturgy, text analysis, performance studies, and other offerings aligned with the candidate's expertise and the needs of the Division. Opportunities for graduate teaching, particularly within the MFA program, may also be available.
Additional responsibilities include:
• Maintaining an active scholarly, creative, and/or professional practice.
• Mentoring undergraduate students.
• Participating in curriculum development and assessment.
• Engaging in divisional, school, and university service.
• Collaborating with colleagues across disciplines in support of productions, new work development, and other artistic initiatives.
Required Qualifications
• Terminal degree (Ph.D., MFA, or equivalent professional distinction appropriate to the appointment).
• An active record of scholarly, creative, and/or professional achievement.
• Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate theatre studies courses that complement both the needs of the Division and the candidate's areas of expertise.
• Evidence of collaborative engagement and a commitment to mentoring emerging theatre artists and scholars.
Application Materials
Applicants should submit:
• Letter of interest.
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Statement of teaching philosophy
• A writing sample of no more than 25 pages (can include a sample from a play or scholarly writing)
• Contact information for three professional references.
Additional materials may be requested as the search progresses.
Review of applications will begin on October 30th, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.
Applications must be submitted electronically via Interfolio at the following link: https://apply.interfolio.com/191543. To ensure full consideration for the position, the application must be received by October 30, 2026, though the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.
About the Division of Theatre
The Division of Theatre offers nationally recognized BFA and MFA degree programs that combine conservatory-style training with the intellectual breadth of a leading research university. As a praxis-based program, we believe theatre is simultaneously an artistic, intellectual, and civic practice. Through intensive studio training, rigorous academic inquiry, and sustained creative practice, students develop as thoughtful artists, skilled collaborators, and engaged citizens.
Our faculty are accomplished artists, educators, and scholars whose active professional careers enrich the classroom, studio, and rehearsal hall while fostering curiosity, collaboration, and artistic excellence.
Situated in one of the nation's most vibrant performing arts communities, the Division benefits from Dallas's remarkable professional theatre ecosystem. A longstanding relationship with the Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center, together with an extraordinary community of regional theatres, independent artists, and producers of new work, creates exceptional opportunities for artistic collaboration, professional engagement, and creative research.
About the Meadows School of the Arts
Founded in 1969, the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University is one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States. The Meadows School offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Advertising, Art, Art History, Arts and Non- Profit Leadership, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Creative Computation, Dance, Design and Innovation, Film and Media Arts, Game Development, Journalism, Music, and Theatre. The Meadows School is a leader in curricular innovation, and challenges its students to make a difference locally and globally through building vital connections between the arts and society. The Meadows School of the Arts is also a convener for the arts in North Texas, serving as a catalyst for new collaborations and providing critical industry. research.
About SMU
Southern Methodist University, a private nonsectarian university of roughly 12,000 students, isan inclusive and intellectually diverse community of teachers and scholars that values diverse research and creative agendas and is dedicatedtoacademic excellence. SMU sits in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, a culturally rich global arts, business and tech hub and home to over eight million people, offering exceptional museums, diverse cultural attractions and a vibrant economy.
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
