Assistant Professor of Theatre

About the role

Northeastern offers a rewarding working environment for our students and employees. Our faculty and staff are smart, dedicated people who work to create an excellent urban university experience for bright and motivated students.

Job Summary

The Department of Communication, Media and Theatre at Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU), located in the heart of Chicago, one of the nation's leading theatre markets, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Theatre position to begin in August 2027.

About the role

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong professional artistic craft, specifically in the fields of Playwriting and Theatrical Literature/Criticism and teach undergraduate and graduate theatre courses in these areas and more.

This hire will be a key collaborator in NEIU's Stage Center Theatre's focus as a home for dynamic new playwriting voices, may serve as producer/director for mainstage productions, and take on leadership roles such as Artistic Producer for Stage Center Theatre, Director of CMT Graduate Program, or Community Partnership Facilitator.

Additional responsibilities include advising students, and providing service to the department, college, university, and profession.

This hire will serve as an enthusiastic contributor to a vibrant interdisciplinary department with a strong commitment to teaching excellence, reflect a professional praxis that emphasizes storytelling that catalyzes social change, and present an approach to craft that amplifies the voices of traditionally marginalized populations.

Minimal Qualifications

• M.F.A. in Playwriting or related area such as Directing or Acting with applicable experience working with new plays
• Ph.D. in Theatre or Performance Studies will be considered with significant record of professional artistic practice in playwriting, new play development, producing and/or directing
• Demonstrated ability, or strong potential for effective teaching in a diverse higher education setting

Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate

• Evidence of effective teaching and theatrical craft/production using culturally responsive practices.
• Evidence of professional artistic achievement in playwriting and new play development; bilingual or multi-lingual writing experience a plus.
• Evidence of continuing creative work and/or research commensurate with earning tenure at NEIU.
• Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge ability of arts administration capacities at the professional and/or academic levels.
• Evidence of service and the ability to contribute to the department, university, profession, and community.

Applicants should submit the following through the Neiu Workday application system:

• a) Letter of application addressing the minimum and preferred qualifications.
• b) C.V. /Resume c) Statement of Teaching Philosophy with specific attention paid to culturally responsive, craft-based pedagogy d) Please include the names of three references who will be contacted later in the process. No reference letters are required.

e) Artistic Work sample/portfolio: Playwrights: you may include either a PDF of 5-10 page sample of your writing or an accessible link to read/view your work. Alternatively, applicants may submit links to other artistic portfolios and other preferred evidence of professional artistic achievement

Please note that all candidates must be able and willing to teach face-to-face courses, in some cases at multiple NEIU campuses, as well as hold office hours face-to-face on campus. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received by December 15, 2026.

NEIU will consider applications from individuals who have valid work authorization in the United States (including those holding valid F-1 and H-1B status) and who currently reside in and are physically within the United States. The University is unable to consider applications from any individual who is outside of the United States and will require consular processing to obtain an H-1B visa.

This position requires a background check.

Benefits

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). Please visit our Employee Benefits page to learn more about our comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.