Assistant Professor of Dance - Tenure-Track - Theatre and Dance - 21356
ATTENTION:
The Department of Theatre and Dance in the College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the area of Dance beginning August, 2025.
JOB DETAILS:
This is a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track position, with a 4/4 teaching load (including department production assignments) in a fully undergraduate department. The successful candidate will head the Dance minor/program, teach Dance courses of various styles and levels each year, mentor student dancers and choreographers, as well as supervise and coordinate the annual Dancescapes production. This position will develop new courses that engage students with dance styles and movements that speak to a range of cultures and communities.
The department mounts five productions each academic year (three plays, one musical/opera, one dance concert). This position will choreograph the annual Musical/Opera and oversee student choreographers for Dancescapes. This position may also choreograph for Dancescapes, in which case a credit allotment will be assigned. Regularly scheduled Dance courses often rotate between this position and two part-time academic staff Dance instructors. The candidate will also be expected to participate in service activities and embrace inclusion as a university community member.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. or MFA or equivalent terminal degree in Dance is required (ABD candidates may apply but must have their degree completed by the contract start date in August 2025, if not, they will be hired on a one-year contract with the understanding that their degree will be completed before January 2026 in advance of their first scheduled review)
- Strong evidence of successful university level teaching with focus on dance; a minimum of three years teaching at the university level is preferred
- Strong evidence of professional production experience in dance with active practice and reputation in the field
- Evidence of service at academic institutions and/or professional industry organizations
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Willingness and ability to actively follow applicable safety rules and regulations, including necessary training and drills
- Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Annual course assignments will change based on regular course rotation and production needs. Teaching may include but is not limited to Dance Appreciation, Composition, Improvisation, World of the Arts, and various technique classes. This position will mentor student choreographers in their practicums. This position serves as academic advisor to department majors and minors as assigned. There is further opportunity to develop special topic courses and independent studies. It is hoped that this position will broaden our curricular offerings, including our technique class offerings which currently consist of ballet, contemporary, jazz, and tap.
The successful candidate will be expected to maintain a scholarship/creative work agenda that is reasonably balanced with teaching and administrative duties. Maintaining current knowledge of entertainment industry practice is essential, as is continuing membership in professional organizations. The candidate will serve on departmental committees, such as Play Selection and Scholarships, as well as various committees at the College and University levels as part of their university service requirement.
- Attend all production meetings and rehearsals as required by production responsibilities
- Practicum supervision of student dance work (number varies per semester and production)
- Mentorship of dance work for American College Dance Association (ACDA) conference
- Chaperone students to ACDA Association conference
- Fundraise/seek grants to support attendance at ACDA
- Serve on department, college, and university committees
- Serve as chair on department committees
- Explore possible revision of Dance minor curriculum
- Academic advisor for Dance Minors and Musical Theatre minors
- Seek and invite guest artists and speakers
- Maintain Research/Scholarship/Professional activities commensurate with Department/University promotion standards
- Outreach to campus student organizations that have a dance component
- Maintain connections with Dance alumni and organize Dance Alumni Day
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:
The UW-W Theatre/Dance Department has a staff of nine faculty/academic staff members, offering BA and BSE degrees, a dance minor, and BFA emphases in design/tech, stage management, and performance. Five live productions are mounted each year, including a musical/opera production in collaboration with the Department of Music and our annual Dancescapes dance concert. The department shares the Greenhill Center for the Arts with the departments of Music, Art & Design, and the Young Auditorium.
The Theatre/Dance department houses two performance spaces: the proscenium Barnett Theatre, and the black box Hicklin Theatre. The department also houses a dedicated dance studio and fully equipped scenic construction and costume construction shops and storage within the Greenhill Center of the Arts.
Our production rotation plan allows students exposure to and practice in a wide variety of genres and production styles, both in performance and design. We are a highly collaborative, practically oriented department, with an emphasis on preparing our students for a variety of careers throughout the entertainment industry. www.uww.edu/cac/theatre/
CAMPUS INFORMATION:
UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university's 11,500 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs - online and in person - from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW serves approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university's arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities - a priority mission since the 1970s.
UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin's Park Place.
Belonging and mattering are central to the university's culture, and UW-Whitewater strives to maintain an environment where individual and collective efforts are valued and celebrated. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System (https://www.wisconsin.edu).
Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).
Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and UW System Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.
For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary of $52,000.
UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System's comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.
TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:
Applications received by January 5, 2025 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.
If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu.
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Bruce Cohen
Search Committee Chair
cohenbe@uww.edu
TO APPLY:
Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:
- Cover letter/letter of interest
- Curriculum Vita
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- Copy of graduate transcripts
- One sample syllabus
- One sample assignment or project outlines/guidelines, with evaluation criteria
- Portfolio materials or active website, including a teaching video and a choreography reel
- Name and contact information for three professional references (letters of recommendation may be solicited at a later time)
Finalists will be required to provide official transcripts, and will be required to teach a class as part of the interview process.
This Job ID is 21356.
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