Job Duties
Position Summary
Norfolk State University’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts’ award-winning Drama & Theatre Program invites applicants for a full-time, tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Drama and Theatre in the disciplines of African-American Theatre and Performance; the selected candidate begins August 2026. The position remains open until it is filled.
Position Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of this position include teaching African-American Drama, Theory & Techniques of Acting, Intermediate Acting, Voice & Diction, Advanced Acting, and/or other areas as qualified, while also serving as Director & Acting Coach for the NSU Theatre Company. This position will teach three courses per semester due to receiving 25% release time to support the NSU Theatre Company.
Integral to this position is maintaining regular office hours; maintaining high levels of professional development, research, creative activity and service; being available as needed during evening and weekend rehearsals and productions; practical initiative; cultivating respectful, courteous and cooperative relationships; implementing affirmative, efficient and ethical working practices. Successful employees derive deep personal fulfillment from their work in the theatre and from the exemplary completion of their duties and possess the flexibility required to respond to emergent challenges and opportunities.
This position will be responsible for serving as Front of House Manager for all productions and events; serve as assigned as acting, voice and/or dialect coach on all NSU Theatre Company productions; potentially direct a production in the annual season of shows; other duties as reasonable for reduction.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
An MFA in Acting.
A minimum of three (3) years of experience teaching in theatre in Higher Education as the instructor of record.
A minimum of three (3) years of professional experience as an actor including
performing African American theatrical works.
Primary teaching theory & technique for performance must be Stanislavski-based
instruction.
Ability to supervise construction crew.
Commitment to mentoring students.
Preferred Qualifications
Five years teaching experience, including three years of teaching at an assistant professor
level with scholarly activity, and professional and university service.
Specialization/certification in voice and/or movement for theatre.
Exceptional planning and organizational skills.
Additional Considerations
How to Apply
Candidates should submit:
1. State of Virginia application.
2. A cover letter of interest including courses taught.
3. Current Curriculum Vitae.
4. Philosophy of Teaching.
5. Provide sample acting assignments and rubric.
6. Provide a link to an online portfolio of performance photos.
7. Transcripts of highest degree conferred (unofficial transcripts are accepted; however,
official transcripts are required of finalists).
8. Three letters of reference.
9. Some requirements must be saved into one file and attached as other to the state
application.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Application and/or résumé for this position must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia's Job Board/Recruitment Management System (RMS). Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. Applicants who possess an Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Form) as issued under the Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM) Policy 1.30 Layoff (Commonwealth of Virginia Employees Only), must attach these forms when submitting their state application and/or résumé. The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from either the electronic application and/or resumé. RMS provides a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your RMS account to check the status of your application for this position.
Norfolk State University conducts background checks on all candidates identified as a finalist for employment consideration. The type of background check(s) performed are dependent upon the type of position for which you have been identified as a finalist and may include: criminal history, including sexual offender registry checks, reference checks, degree validation, DMV (driving) records, license verification, and credit report reviews. The results of background checks are made available to university employing officials. As a finalist, you will be required to sign an Authorization to Release form. Norfolk State University utilizes Form I-9 and E-Verify in the verification of eligibility for employment. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.
EEO Statement
NSU is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. NSU encourages and invites minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.
Contact Information
Name: no name provided
Phone: no phone provided
Email: no email materials accepted
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter.