Assistant Professor - Dance

About the role

The University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Dance, beginning August 2027. Open until filled. Application review will begin Dec. 1, 2026. We seek an experienced choreographer with an active creative practice and a successful record of teaching dance composition. Creative research is recognized as scholarship for tenure and promotion. The program serves students pursuing a BFA or BA in Dance (often paired with Teacher Certification) and a dance minor, offers performance opportunities on campus and in the community, hosts masterclasses through its partnership with Performing Arts Houston, and maintains active relationships across Houston’s diverse professional dance ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Teach composition and choreography, studio technique, and theory or studies courses aligned with creative research.
• Choreograph and help produce the program's concerts.
• Be flexible, able to teach across a range of studio and study courses, and comfortable working with nontraditional forms and approaches.
• Engage in site-specific performance, community-based and socially engaged dance practices, dance aesthetics and philosophy, and writing and critical analysis in the arts.

Requirements

• MFA or PhD in Dance or a closely related field, in hand by August 1, 2027.
• A substantial professional choreographic record with evidence of an ongoing creative practice.
• Demonstrated success teaching dance composition at the college level.
• Strong organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships within a program and in the surrounding community.

Skills

• Ability to teach technique in a variety of contemporary dance forms, and in one or more of ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, or other studio practices.
• Grounding in dance pedagogy and dance education, including familiarity with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for dance.
• Experience producing concerts or supervising student productions.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate creative and research projects.
• Experience with community engagement, partnership building, or site-based work.

Benefits

The University of Houston offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Schedule

Teaching load: three courses per semester.