Job Description

Department/Organization
204271 - Theatre and Dance

Rank
Associate/Full Professor

Position Summary
The University of Alabama invites applications for the position of Chair in its Department of Theatre and Dance, beginning August 16, 2026. We seek a distinguished visionary leader and artist educator with strong administrative experience during a pivotal moment of growth and change, as the department opens the state-of-the-art Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts.

Detailed Position Information
The University of Alabama invites applications for the position of Chair in its Department of Theatre and Dance, beginning August 16, 2026. We seek a distinguished visionary leader and artist educator with strong administrative experience during a pivotal moment of growth and change, as the department opens the state-of-the-art Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts. The successful candidate will teach at the undergraduate and graduate level; pursue an active research agenda appropriate to candidates area of specialization; advocate for the department within the college and university; connect with and serve as an ambassador to the community; and represent the department at the national and international levels.

Once chosen, the candidate must be tenured in the College of Arts and Sciences at the rank of associate or full professor. Preferred qualifications: has a terminal degree in a relevant field; is familiar with innovative pedagogies in the arts and has experience managing curricular development; has a history of building lasting community relationships; demonstrates a successful track record of fundraising and resource development and exhibits a dedication to collaboration across multiple disciplines and entities.

Review of applications will begin November 24, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. To apply, submit a letter of application (specifically addressing how your training, qualifications, and experience meet the stated needs of the position), a detailed curriculum vitae, a statement of administrative philosophy, and a list of three to five references with contact information. Position queries should be directed to Professor Seth Panitch at spanitch@ua.edu.

Minimum Qualifications
MFA in Theatre or Dance

Preferred Qualifications
Ideal candidate has a terminal degree in a relevant field; is familiar with innovative pedagogies in the arts and has experience managing curricular development; has a history of building lasting community relationships; demonstrates a successful track record of fundraising and resource development and exhibits a dedication to collaboration across multiple disciplines and entities.

Instructions and Required Materials for Application
Review of applications will begin November 24, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. To apply, submit a letter of application (specifically addressing how your training, qualifications, and experience meet the stated needs of the position), a detailed curriculum vitae, a statement of administrative philosophy, and a list of three to five references with contact information. Position queries should be directed to Professor Seth Panitch at spanitch@ua.edu.

About the Division/College/School
The J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Alabama offers an exciting and dynamic environment for faculty seeking to make an impact in their field and in the lives of the innovators and changemakers of tomorrow.

As the largest college at The University, we house over 9,000 students and 1,000 faculty and staff across our 22 departments.

With nationally recognized programs and award-winning faculty, our College has positioned itself as a leader in higher education. Our facilities and resources include state-of-the-art laboratories, research centers, and performance venues, providing students with hands-on learning experiences and opportunities for research and creative expression.

The College is committed to the liberal arts philosophy that fosters creative and critical thinking and a lifetime of learning.

About the University
The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, named one of Travel + Leisures 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. As one of the nations premier universities, UA offers bachelors, master's and doctoral degrees in nearly 200 fields of study. With more than 1,400 acres of tree-lined academic core campus and over 300 state-of-the art facilities, UA has been ranked among the most beautiful and most impressive college campuses in the South, in the state of Alabama and in the nation.

In Fall 2023, the Capstone set a new enrollment record with more than 39,000 students, including more than 8,200 in the freshman class. The current enrollment includes students from every county in Alabama, every state in the nation and 92 countries around the world. More than 1,100 National Merit Scholars are currently enrolled, making UA one of the largest enrolling institutions of the scholars in the country.

UA was recently recognized as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. students for the seventh time in nine years, as well as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the first time. UA is one of only 12 universities in the nation to receive both honors.

For reasons like this, the University made Forbes list of Americas Top Colleges for 2023 and Time magazines list of Top 50 Best Colleges for Future Leaders. It also made Princeton Reviews list of Top Value Colleges.

UA is also designated among the top doctoral research universities in the United States in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. One of the fastest growing major research institutions in the nation, UA saw a 21% increase in sponsored awards in the 2023 fiscal year.

Since 2015, UA has invested over $1.1 billion in the physical campus, adding more than 2.55 million gross square feet of space, over 150 new research-intensive faculty, signature research areas (e.g., The Alabama Research Institutes), and a growing number of partnerships with industry and with state and federal agencies.

The University employs nearly 2,100 faculty and over 4,500 staff, with 52 UA researchers included in the National Academy of Inventors. An additional 40 current faculty have received the NSF CAREER Award, the nations most prestigious recognition of top performing young scientists in disciplines ranging from nanoscience and engineering to biological sciences.

Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" The University of Alabama

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