Job Description

The USC School of Dramatic Arts (SDA) is seeking applicants for an open-rank, non-tenure track faculty position in Musical Theatre at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level, depending on experience and current rank.  The position will serve as the Program Director of BFA Musical Theatre, overseeing and teaching in the four-year Contemporary Musical Theatre program within SDA’s Division of Performance that trains media-agile dramatic artists able to translate their “triple threat” talents to both stage and screen. The BFA program has approximately 50 students enrolled at any given time and is distinguished by the four required musical practicums that students take during their conservatory-style journey, culminating in a mainstage show produced in SDA’s Broadway-scale Bing Theatre. SDA aims for the successful candidate to start in January 2026 with openness to an August 2026 start date if needed.

Successful candidates will exhibit an innovative vision for Musical Theatre education, possess a wide knowledge of historical and contemporary musical theatre practice, and demonstrate a strong understanding of and connections to the current professional landscape, both in New York and nationally, as well as on stage and on screen. Preferred candidates will also have experience in both teaching and directing, as well as demonstrated administrative skills and experience in recruiting. They will also present a network of professional connections and an understanding of different presenting formats, from workshops to concert readings to full productions, as well as an understanding of the business of acting and professional development of Musical Theatre students.

The ideal candidate has 3-5 years teaching experience in the performing arts and professional Musical Theatre credits as a performer and/or creative (particularly on Broadway or national tours).  The preferred candidate has 5 or more years teaching in an academic setting, more than 5 years in the musical theatre profession, as well as specific experience creating/running a program in musical theatre in academic context.  Applications should include a cover letter describing the candidate’s qualifications for the position, curriculum vitae, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references (only contacted with the consent of the applicant).

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:       Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre or Related Field (Graduate degree preferred)

Experience:     3-5 years teaching in performing arts; professional credits in Musical Theatre (Broadway or national tour preferred)

Skills:              Administration of educational programs and professional development of Musical Theatre artists

The annual base salary range for this position is $90,000 to $140,000 dependent on the rank of hire. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The USC School of Dramatic Arts (SDA) , founded in 1945, is recognized internationally as a leader in theatre education and its application to stage, screen, and other industries.  The School offers innovative programs and curricula in acting, musical theatre, directing, playwriting, critical studies, costume design, scenic design, lighting design, sound design, stage management and creator arts.  With a faculty of dramatic artists working at the highest level of their profession, the School offers BA, BFA and MFA degrees and has an active production program of more than 20 shows with a population of more than 600 undergraduate and graduate students combined. SDA’s headquarters are located in the heart of USC’s beautiful University Park Campus, housed in the Dick Wolf Drama Center, which anchor’s the University’s performing arts corridor (Thornton School of Music, Kaufman School of Dance, and the School of Cinematic Arts).

The University of Southern California (USC) , founded in 1880, is in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which comprises the faculty, students and staff that make the university what it is.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu . Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

The university is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, employees, volunteers, and visitors on our campuses and those entrusted to our care, including patients, students, and minors. To that end, the university conducts background screening, including screening for criminal convictions, on all applicants after a conditional offer of employment and as a condition of employment. Please refer to the  Background Screening Policy Appendix C for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the  Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative

USC and SDA are committed to fostering an environment that embraces our USC’s Unifying Core Values and seeks candidates that demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to these objectives.

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