Post-MFA in Applied Performance: 2-year Teaching Fellowships

As part of an applied theatre initiative in the Theatre program in the School of Performing Arts at Virginia Tech, two 2-year Post-MFA Teaching Fellowships will be awarded. Each fellowship recipient will teach three or four participatory performance-based courses each semester—Introduction to Acting and/or Introduction to Applied Collaborative Techniques.

About Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT—serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. We seek candidates who adopt and practice the Principles of Community, which are fundamental to our ongoing efforts to increase access and inclusion and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world.

About our theatre program: The theatre program at Virginia Tech is committed to education, training, and experience in the transformative power of the performing arts for students across the university. Our work, in the classroom and in practice, develops professional competencies for students and builds character and community spirit while catalyzing conversations about relevant issues in society. Each course taught by a Fellowship recipient is limited to non-major students (cap of 20) and is intended to serve students across the broadest possible range of academic disciplines. The teaching challenge is to apply principles of acting and of collaborative theatre performance within the context of a non-theatre focus.

Stipends and Benefits: Each of the two Fellowship recipients will be expected to be in residence for two academic years (approval for the second year depends upon a satisfactory performance review in March of the first academic year) to develop pedagogical skills in the discipline through teaching introductory performance-based courses (approximately 12 contact hours per week). In addition to an annual academic year salary, and health and retirement benefits throughout the full employment period, additional support may be provided for workshop activities and summer employment in the Center for Communicating Science: The Art of Connecting Across Difference. The Center for Communicating Science uses the tools of theatre practice to support colleagues in non-arts disciplines develop their abilities to communicate and connect. Engagement with the work of the Center for Communicating Science is expected as part of this transdisciplinary applied theatre initiative. Recipients of Fellowships should plan to be in residence from August 10 – May 9 for two academic years, except for holiday breaks.

Eligibility and Qualifications: We believe that representation is important and we seek applicants who can serve as role models for our increasingly diverse student population. Applicants can be current MFA acting or directing students who will receive their degree before August 2022, or recent graduates with no more than 3 years since the date of their terminal MFA degree (May 2019 – May 2022). Preference will be given to applicants with experience as an instructor of record teaching acting, applied theatre, devising, collaboration and/or improvisation. Applicants will need to have completed their MFA degree by the appointment date of August 10, 2022.

Application Deadline/Review Timeline:  The position will remain open until filled. However, for full consideration applications should be received by June 19, 2022.

How to apply:  Qualified applicants should apply here. Submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, and a list of three references. The cover letter should discuss your particular qualifications relative to the position, and your commitment to a career that combines creative activity and teaching. Please address how you would plan to create opportunities for your continuing creative activity during your teaching experience at our institution. Please limit your letter to 2 pages, single-spaced.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or any other basis protected by law. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact the Office of Equity and Accessibility at 540-231-2010 or Virginia Tech, North End Center, Suite 2300 (0318), 300 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061. The School of Performing Arts is committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and strongly encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds. Inquiries should be directed to Natasha Staley, Search Committee Chair, snatasha@vt.edu