Salary/Position Classification
- $48,000+ 9-month contract, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
- 40 hours per week
- This position will work onsite at UND Grand Forks, ND campus
Purpose of Position
The Department of Theatre Arts invites applicants for a one-year special appointment as a Teaching Assistant Professor in performance. This is a 9-month non-tenure track position contingent upon availability of funding.
The Department of Theatre Arts at the University of North Dakota is committed to cultivating creativity, critical thinking, and cultural exploration through the transformative power of the performing arts. Our mission is student centered, teaching academic excellence, innovative techniques, and creative expression. We foster a professional environment that serves our university and community by providing production experience that is diverse, inclusive, and grounded in collaboration.
Established in 1883, the University of North Dakota is the oldest research university in North Dakota. Founded with a strong liberal arts foundation, it is the state’s flagship university and is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having very high research activity. UND offers degrees in more than 225 fields of study with over 16,000 students. It is the home of the state’s only School of Law and School of Medicine. The School of Medicine and Health Sciences has major initiatives in rural and public health, and Aerospace is home to one of the first and largest unmanned aerial vehicle programs in the world.
UND is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, a vibrant college town of over 57,000 people located on the border of North Dakota and Minnesota. Short commutes, a great public school system, high-quality medical facilities, low crime, ample parks and theaters, and a cost of living below that found in large American cities are some of Grand Forks’ advantages. Ranked as one of the top 5 Best Small College Towns, and America’s Best Hockey Town, Grand Forks offers a stellar quality of life without the metropolitan hassles.
Duties & Responsibilities
The successful candidate will receive a contract that allocates 70% toward teaching, 20% toward creative activity, and 10% to service. The successful candidate will:
- Teach a 3/4 load including several sections of THEA 161 Acting I, and other introductory theatre and fine arts courses
- Direct a fall production
- Assist the department in recruiting activities
All faculty are expected to contribute to service within the department, college, university, and community and to participate in the department’s recruitment and outreach initiatives. UND and the College of Arts & Sciences value diverse perspectives and seek applicants who are committed to helping students from across the university, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, succeed. The institution encourages faculty to engage in routine professional development as a core aspect of their professional practice. This includes participating in activities that enhance knowledge, skills, and effectiveness, and that support continued growth in response to evolving institutional and disciplinary needs
Required Competencies
- Ability to teach college acting classes at introductory levels
- Demonstrated ability to direct productions
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Evidence of the ability to teach, inspire, and mentor students
- Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and students
- Ability to work with and engage diverse students and colleagues within and outside the Department of Theatre Arts
- Ability to adapt to current methods of teaching
Minimum Requirements
- MFA in Directing or Acting
- 1 year of university work either in teaching or direction
- Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.
Preferred Qualifications
- 3 years of experience teaching/directing at the university level
- MFA in Acting and/or Directing
To Apply
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:55 p.m. of 8/2/2026 and include the following materials:
- Letter of application
- Curriculum Vitae
- Contact information for three current references
- Images and/or videos of directing work
Position is open until filled.
Questions can be directed to the Department Chair, Emily Cherry Oliver at [email protected].
