Lecturer III, Drama Program Head - University of Michigan Residential College

The Residential College in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michiganlsa.umich.edu/rcis seeking applicants for a full-time Lecturer III position to teach courses in the Drama Program and serve as the head of the program. This is a full-time, non-tenure-track position with a university-year appointment period beginning January 1, 2027.

The Residential College (RC) Drama Program offers introductory and advanced courses in the history, theory, and practice of theatre. The program offers a major and a minor, in which students learn about and practice many aspects of play production from devising and design to acting and directing. Class sizes tend to be small. The successful candidate will serve as head of this program and faculty advisor to the Drama major and minor, and teach five courses throughout the academic year (fall and winter terms).

These courses will contribute primarily to the Drama Program but could also contribute to other RC programs, such as the Arts and Ideas Program (the RC humanities major) or the First Year Writing Seminar Program (intensive writing courses that satisfy the first-year writing requirement). Additional duties include participation in college- and program-wide activities.

The RC Drama Program differs from other performance programs on campus in its commitment to socially engaged theatre, social justice, and community engagement. Some courses enable students to explore theatre in collaboration with local schools, prisons, or public-housing communities. RC Drama courses often integrate textual analysis and performance practices and teach theatre history by staging previously written texts and exploring applied theatre by devising original performances.

Candidates in all areas of performance research or practical theatre are welcome to apply. We strongly encourage those with expertise in African American, Native American, Arab American or Muslim performance to apply.

• Hold regular meetings of the faculty in the program to review and revise the Drama major and minor.
• Oversee the course offerings and curriculum management of the program each year, including review of syllabi and course descriptions.
• Provide academic advising to students enrolled in the Drama major and minor.
• Interact with the RC Academic Services office to coordinate advising of students in the RC Drama Program.
• Advise the RC Administrative team and Executive Committee on program needs and accomplishments.
• Attend meetings of the RC Curriculum Planning Committee as a representative of the Drama Program.
• Serve as faculty mentor to the student organization, RC Players.

The successful candidate will have expertise and background in theater performance, including acting or directing. Established expertise in academic disciplines and performance appropriate to the years in the candidate’s field is expected, as well as expertise and background in teaching undergraduates in a wide range of dramatic literature.

Minimum: MFA in a theatre or performance field; MA in Drama, Performance Studies, or Theatre Studies; or a PhD in a related discipline with a substantial focus on theatre. Experience teaching undergraduate students in small-group formats in an academic setting, as well as experience advising undergraduate students through their progress in an academic program. Additional experience in directing, acting, play writing, design or dramaturgy is preferred.

This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the U-M and the Lecturers Employee Organization, AFL-CIO, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This should not exclude people with criminal records from applying.

The anticipated Final date to receive applications is August 10, and we expect to notify the successful candidate by December 1.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.