Professor and head - department of theatre

Professor and Head, Department of Theatre

College of Fine and Applied Arts

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites nominations and applications for the position of Professor and Head of the Department of Theatre. The Department seeks a Department Head with demonstrated leadership in the arts and national or international influence as a creative artist/scholar. The next Head will guide the Department’s strategic initiatives to build a dynamic, inclusive, and collaboratively generative environment with growing impact on professional theatrical practice and global performance research.

In recent years, the Department has increased its connections to Chicago’s professional theatre, fostered the development of new work for national and international stages, and produced nationally recognized interdisciplinary performance research. The Department of Theatre seeks to foster equity and diversity of representation in our faculty and student populations, in our curricula, in our research, and on our stages. Working with the faculty and interdisciplinary campus partners, the Head will continue to shape the artistic, educational, and scholarly mission of the Department. The Department enjoys rich opportunities to partner with Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, enabling students and faculty to engage in creative and educational interactions with world-renowned performing artists and participate in the development of new work.

A member of the University Resident Theatre Association (URTA), the Department has 46 faculty members: 30 full-time faculty, 15 faculty with dual appointments in the Department and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, and 1 part-time faculty. Enrollment in the Department has grown to more than 130 undergraduates and more than 50 graduate students. The Department offers BFA programs in acting; theatre studies (directing, playwriting, and dramaturgy); and design, technology, and management, which include a new emphasis on production management, arts & entertainment technology, and immersive and interactive performance. MFA programs in acting and nine areas of design, technology, and management are also offered, as well as an interdisciplinary MA and PhD program in theatre studies. The Department and its production programs are housed in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, a state of the art, multi-theatre facility that operates collaboratively within an artistic structure that includes theatre, dance, music, opera, and professional touring performances. Theatre faculty work closely with Krannert Center staff and faculties of the Department of Dance and the School of Music, including a partnership with the Lyric Theatre program and the rich regional artistic community.

The Department is part of a College with six other academic units across the performing, visual, and environmental arts. The University of Illinois campus is a comprehensive land-grant, research university enrolling more than 55,000 students, located in a dynamic, micro-urban center within two to three hours of Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis.

The Head is the chief executive officer of the Department, reports to the Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts, oversees all operations of the Department, and sits on the Krannert Center Board of Producers. In collaboration with departmental faculty, staff, and leadership teams, the Head is responsible for academic and artistic leadership, budgeting, and administrative policy subject to College and University policies. The Head is expected to lead and collaborate in advancement and fundraising efforts. Depending on the candidate's particular area of specialization, the Head may also participate in the Department's teaching and production programs.


Required Qualifications:


Substantial artistic or scholarly achievement in theatre or closely related fields, relevant administrative experience, and an established record of research, teaching, publication, and/or creative work and performance sufficient to warrant appointment as full professor with tenure.
Demonstrated commitment to professional theatre training and scholarship.


Preferred Qualifications:


Terminal degree in a relevant field, although in exceptional cases significant professional credentials and experience may be acceptable in lieu of a terminal degree.
Demonstrated experience in leading community development or organizational change.
Experience in curricular innovation or innovative pedagogies in the arts.
Experience with fundraising and resource development.

As the Department continues its commitment to the inclusion of multiple identities, the successful candidate will lead colleagues in all areas of theatre expertise, backgrounds, and lived experiences. We strongly encourage applications from women and underrepresented groups.

Appointment Information

This is a nine-month faculty appointment (paid over 12 months) that includes a twelve-month administrative stipend and summer pay. The budgeted salary range for the full professor faculty position is $110,000 to $130,000. The total annual salary compensation with stipend and summer pay is $140,000 - $160,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate’s experience and qualifications, and budget constraints. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2026.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

To ensure full consideration, please submit an application as a single PDF file, including a cv, cover letter, and three references by October 31, 2025 at Letters of recommendation may be requested at a later date. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact:

Professor Jeffrey Magee, Chair
Theatre Head Search Committee
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
College of Fine and Applied Arts
608 E. Lorado Taft Drive, #100
Champaign, IL 61820
Email: [email protected]

Further information about the College and Department may be found at and

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing [email protected].

Requisition ID : 1032812

Job Category : Faculty

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