Assistant Professor of Acting - Department of Theatre

Faculty Hire Number: 27-05 | Effective Date of Appointment: Fall 2027 (Subject to Budgetary Approval)

About the Role

The Department of Theatre at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Acting with a focus on Acting for the Camera. This in-person teaching position involves instructing students in distinct approaches for stage and camera acting, preparing them for careers in the film industry, and contributing to the department’s academic and creative mission.

Responsibilities

• Teach upper-division acting for the camera courses (TH 345 and TH 448), covering acting techniques, industry preparation (resumes, headshots, agents, managers, auditions, self-tapes), and business guidance.
• Teach foundational stage acting technique for majors (TH 108A) and other courses as needed, including TH 208A and TH 111 for non-majors.
• Maintain an active, creative practice and professional expertise in the field.
• Hold weekly office hours, attend faculty meetings, and participate in assessment of student learning.
• Engage in service to the department, college, and university.
• Teach on weekdays, evenings, weekends, and/or online as required, adhering to college and department standards for tenure and promotion.
• Contribute to equitable academic outcomes for all students through teaching, mentorship, scholarship, and service, aligning with CSUN’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of creating work or participating in programs that foster equity, inclusion, and representation, particularly for diverse student populations.

Desirable additional teaching skills may include:

• Emerging Media Performance (e.g., performance capture, gaming, virtual production).
• Voice-over.
• Intimacy coaching.
• Directing student productions.

Requirements

• An M.F.A. degree in Acting or a related field from an accredited institution, foreign equivalency, or post-baccalaureate experience, training, and expertise equivalent to an M.F.A.
• Experience teaching in-person stage acting at the university/college level or equivalent professional performance training programs.
• Experience teaching in-person camera acting at the university/college level or equivalent professional performance training programs.
• Professional experience in both stage and film/TV acting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in two or more acting methods (e.g., Stanislavski, Meisner, Chekhov, Barr, Moss, Chubbuck) and their application to stage and camera.
• Additional experience in one or more of the following specialties:
  • Emerging Media Performance (e.g., performance capture, gaming, virtual production).
  • Voice-over.
  • Intimacy coaching.
  • Directing student productions.
• Evidence of designing curriculum that prepares students for contemporary professional practice.
• Teaching or professional experience working with a diverse student body or leading groups from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience or potential for creating a student-centered learning environment, such as community engagement, inclusive professional development, active learning strategies, culturally relevant pedagogy, or curriculum development.
• Experience participating in inclusive approaches to mentoring, such as minority-centered mentorship with community-based arts programs, leadership roles, or engagement with minority-serving organizations.

Pay

Anticipated hiring range: $89,000 to $95,000 (dependent upon qualifications).