Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance - VCUarts

Overview

Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance
Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts

Anticipated Start
Fall 2025

Chair Appointment Term
10 months (August 2 through May 30). It is anticipated that the Chair will serve for a period of up to five years, with the option to serve as Chair for an additional period of up to three years. Upon completion of the leadership appointment, the Chair will be provided with a 9-month faculty position in their area of expertise. A semester-long research reassignment will be provided after the Chair appointment ends to facilitate a return to teaching.

Rank
Associate/full Professor

Tenure
Expedited tenure review is available to streamline the university's tenure decisions for new faculty hires who were already tenured at their previous institution and is potentially available to a new Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance who has been a tenured Full or Associate Professor at their previous institution.

Salary
Commensurate with experience. Generous benefits available.

Location
Richmond, Virginia

Final date to receive applications
For best consideration, applications are due by April 12, 2025.

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts) is excited to announce an opportunity for an impactful, visionary, and collaboration-oriented academic leader to serve as the inaugural Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, pending approval of the department by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The Chair reports to the Senior Director of the Performing Arts Group and the Dean and is supported by academic and administrative staff.

The Chair serves as a mentor to faculty, collaborates with administrative leaders and staff, and advocates for the department from a perspective that aligns with the School and department missions. The Chair leads faculty in processes that shape the curriculum and research activities, and articulates the department and School missions to internal and external audiences. The Chair establishes an inclusive and welcoming academic environment that encourages engagement, participation, collegiality, and respect.

Pending SCHEV approval, the Department currently occupies multiple spaces and will move to the CoStar Center for Arts and Innovation (CCAI) in late 2027. The CCAI will feature flexible classroom spaces and interdisciplinary venues. Theatre and Dance enrolls more than 300 students and will pursue approvals to function as a singular department by the  academic year. The department will continue to grant program-specific degrees and maintain curricula unique to those programs.

Theatre
Theatre has 18 full-time faculty, 13 graduate students, and 237 undergraduate students. The mainstage season includes four fully produced shows per academic year, plus opportunities for collaborative events and performances with award-winning improv teams.

Dance and Choreography
Dance and Choreography has six full-time faculty and 66 undergraduate students. The program produces two to three major shows per academic year, including Senior Productions and Dance Now. Students learn from guest faculty and visiting artists.

Faculty in Theatre and Dance participate in a wide range of disciplines, benefiting from an R1 university environment that supports faculty research. The Programs have an active roster of adjunct and visiting faculty, contributing to a dynamic arts community.

The Department Chair ensures the success of faculty, staff, and students. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Articulating a direction and goals for the department aligned with School and university initiatives.
• Participating in collaboration efforts within VCUarts and across other VCU schools and programs.
• Managing and optimizing the department budget and resources (facilities, faculty, etc.).
• Developing partnerships with local, national, and international organizations to enhance the department's and School's reputation and opportunities for students and faculty.
• Coordinating curriculum development and discipline-specific accreditation.
• Overseeing all faculty mentoring, service…