Assistant Professor of Dance - School of Theatre and Dance
The West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance (an
accredited member of NASD) seeks a dynamic, collegial faculty
member for a full-time, nine-month tenure-track appointment. The
successful candidate will join a growing undergraduate dance
program that offers a BA in dance and a minor in dance. Primary
teaching assignments include ballet, jazz, world dance, commercial,
musical theatre styles, and dance appreciation. Other
responsibilities include choreographing one or more pieces for the
school's main stage dance concert, serving as the artistic director
(on a rotating basis with other dance faculty) for the dance
concerts, and choreographing for the school's musical theatre
productions on a rotating basis as well. Engagement in significant
professional and creative activities and/or research within the
discipline with a regional, national, and international scope is
required for tenure. Faculty must maintain an active profile on and
off campus and contribute to the intellectual life of the School of
Theatre & Dance community. Participation in curriculum
development, recruitment and retention activities, academic
advising, and involvement in University/School committee activities
and faculty governance are required of all faculty members in the
School of Theatre & Dance.
Date of Appointment: August 14, 2026 (classes begin August
18, 2026)
Qualifications :
The successful candidate must hold MFA or have substantial
professional experience equivalent to an MFA. The candidate must
have at least 3 years teaching experience at the college/university
level and professional dance and/or choreographic experience in
professionally recognized and respected venues. Affiliations with
national dance companies is desirable. Experience teaching
choreography, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, or other genres is
highly desired. Candidates must have excellent communication and
interpersonal skills and enjoy working collaboratively and
collegially in a fast-paced educational environment.
Rank and Salary: Nine-month tenure-track appointment. Salary
is commensurate with experience.
Application/Nomination: All interested candidates should
submit:
- A letter of application
- Current curriculum vitae
- Teaching philosophy (1 page max) and a sample syllabus
- Reel of current dance related creative work
- Names and full contact information of three (3)
references
Application Deadline: Review of applicants will begin on March 16, 2026, continuing until the position is filled.
Additional materials may be requested at a later date.
THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE & DANCE ( theatre.wvu.edu ): The School of Theatre & Dance is a NAST and NASD accredited, and URTA member training program with an enrollment of approximately 185 students, 50 of which are BA Dance majors. The School offers MFA degrees in acting, design & technology, and technical direction; BFA degrees in acting, musical theatre, and design & technology; a BA degree in dance and a BA in theatre studies, and minors in theatre, dance, and technical production.
As part of its mission, the School educates students in the traditions and practices of the art of dance theatre by challenging them to engage in the many processes used and valued by collaborative artists. The School employs 17 full-time and 5 part-time faculty and 3 professional staff to annually produce a vibrant season of theatre and dance productions in four theatres supported by well-equipped production facilities. The School is dedicated to providing an exceptional classroom and studio education supported by hands-on production experiences.
THE COLLEGE OF CREATIVE ARTS & MEDIA (CCAM) has over 2,000 students. It comprises four professionally accredited and nationally recognized Schools of Art & Design, Media & Communications, Music, and Theatre & Dance. Each School offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees addressing such fields as the creative and performing arts, advertising and communications, arts education and scholarship, design disciplines, journalism, marketing, and public relations, museum studies, the recording industry, theatre technology, and the intersection of art and health.
The College of Creative Arts & Media is housed in WVU's Canady Creative Arts Center and Martin Hall and has more than 70 full-time faculty and 20 professional staff whose mission is to educate succeeding generations of artists, teachers, and scholars through an experiential student-centered approach to learning. The College advocates the Arts as a medium through which the diversity of human experience is understood and valued. Exemplifying excellence and innovation in performance, exhibition, scholarship, and creative research, the College offers artistic and cultural opportunities for the citizens of West Virginia and the regional community.
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ( wvu.edu ) is classified as a Doctoral/Research University—extensive and is the state's only comprehensive doctoral-granting land grant institution. The university community is committed to student-centered priorities, academic excellence, research, creative activity, and service to the state. WVU is located about 70 miles south of Pittsburgh in Morgantown, West Virginia, a college town that enjoys high-quality health care, sporting events, performing arts and outdoor activities.
The city of Morgantown has 55,000 residents and has been ranked as the “#1 Small City in America,” the “Best Small City in the East,” and the “3rd Best Small Town” in the nation. Boasting a strong economy and an unemployment rate well below the national average, the area also offers a wide variety of cultural and recreational activities.
West Virginia University has created a dual career program to help faculty partners or spouses find employment in and around the university ( https://careers.wvu.edu/career-opportunities/dual-career-program ).
West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.
From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.
At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.
Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.
West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.
