Assistant Professor of Performing Arts – Contemporary Dance

Wichita State University

College of Fine Arts

School of Performing Arts

Housed within the College of Fine Arts, the School of Performing Arts at Wichita State University seeks a dynamic and experienced colleague to enhance our dance program. The Assistant Professor of Performing Arts – Contemporary Dance, is a full-time, tenure-track faculty position that will teach, advise, mentor, and recruit undergraduate performing arts majors in dance. Our new colleague must be committed to fostering an inclusive environment and promoting the success of first-generation and underrepresented students. The academic appointment for this position will be effective August 3, 2025.

We are seeking a colleague with primary expertise in contemporary and/or modern dance, improvisation, choreography, and dance research methods. Other areas of expertise may include but are not limited to dance and media/film, dance theory/histographies, hip hop, somatic practices, and other forms.

Beyond our current dance studies curricula and program approaches, we are interested in a colleague able to teach courses that enliven and expand our dance curriculum with a focus on intersectional categories of performing arts, digital arts, inclusion, research, and community-engaged learning.

Learn more about the School of Performing Arts: http://www.wichita.edu/spa.

Application Link

For full description of qualifications, application requirements and procedures, and to apply, go to https://jobs.wichita.edu/jobs/assistant-professor-of-performing-arts-contemporary-dance-wichita-kansas-united-states

Job Summary

Teach courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels using various instructional deliveries (e.g., traditional (face-to-face), hybrid, and fully online). To foster applied learning into the course design and engage with industry and local business community applied projects. To advance knowledge through scholarly activities (e.g., active involvement in committees, student mentorship, recruitment and retention initiative, outreach activities, etc.)

Essential Functions

Meet expectations for research, teaching, and service as set forth by the department and college.

Job Duties

Primary responsibilities include courses focused on dance including contemporary dance/modern dance forms, improvisation, choreography, dance research methods, and applied repertoire courses. Additional courses may include other dance forms and general education dance courses, as well as upper-division courses in other the candidate’s areas of interest and specialization. This position consists of student advising, recruitment, and mentorship. Additionally, this position engages in collaborative choreographic processes with students for stage and/or film and/or site-specific works. A successful candidate will demonstrate commitment to undergraduate pedagogy, and a strong desire to work collaboratively. All candidates for faculty positions should be able to demonstrate the ability to successfully educate and empower a diverse student population.

Required Education and Experience:

Terminal degree in direct field

Teaching experience

Faculty Requirements

MFA in Dance or related field of studies.

Evidence of achievement in dance performance and/or choreography and/or scholarship.

Evidence of a commitment to culturally relevant, diverse, and inclusive teaching practices.

Experience creating original dance works with undergraduate students.

Experience teaching undergraduate students.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Demonstrated ability to teach contemporary/modern dance.

Demonstrated ability to teach improvisation.

Demonstrated ability to teach choreography.

Demonstrated ability to teach dance research methods.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Willingness to accommodate a variety of learning styles and strategies in instructional delivery and learning activities, including online and blended learning, flexible teaching methods, and applied learning approaches.

Preferred Qualifications:

Three years teaching experience at full-time or equivalent course load in higher education.

Professional dance performance experience.

Professional experience as a choreographer.

Ability to create and direct original dance films/media.

Ability to teach additional dance forms beyond contemporary/modern dance.

Ability to teach dance theory/histographies.

Leadership experience in higher education.

Evidence of research focused on dance practices/traditions of Latine/a/o/x, Indigenous, Black performance traditions, performance and disability, and performance with other underrepresented groups.

Required Documents:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Teaching philosophy, including approaches to inclusive pedagogies

Statement on Research/Creative Activity Interests

Digital Portfolio

Optional Document/s:

Sample syllabus/i

Priority deadline for applications being reviewed:

February 2, 2025

References/Letters of Recommendation:

Only advancing candidate’s references will be contacted for letters of recommendation.

For more information contact:

For more information contact: Sabrina Vasquez, Senior Educator of Dance – Chair, Asst Prof of Performing Arts – Acting Search Committee, Wichita State University Email: sabrina.vasquez@wichita.edu

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position – Frequent 60-90%; Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators – Frequent 60-90%

About the School of Performing Arts (SPA)

Offering a BFA and BA in Performing Arts with concentrations in Dance, Design & Technical Theatre (BFA Only), Musical Theatre (BFA Only), and Theatre Performance/Acting (BFA), general Theatre Studies (BA), the School of Performing Arts values and promotes applied learning in the classroom, studio, on stage & screen, in the community, and through site-specific engagement & performance. In addition to curricular-related showings on and off campus, the school annually produces plays, a national student playwriting competition, films, audio shows, dance concerts, musicals, a new musical theatre incubator program, and more. Three student-led organizations produce shows and events as well.

To enhance and broaden students’ knowledge and career preparation, SPA offers several certificates including: Directing, Stage Management, Voice Acting, Choreography, Dance and Digital Performance, and Commercial Dance. Several certificates and courses are in collaboration with the School of Digital Arts, the School of Music, the Honors College, and the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.