Assistant Professor of Acting

Position Details Proposed Start Date: 09/16/2026Rank: C - Assistant ProfessorTitle: Assistant Professor of ActingPosition Number: D99239Representation: AU - AAUPFaculty Type: Tenure TrackFixed Term End Date: PositionFTE: 1.0Term of Service: 9 months Position Summary The School of Music & Theater is located in the Portland cultural district, home of the Oregon Symphony, the Portland Opera, the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, the Portland Art Museum, and the Northwest Film Center. Faculty members are internationally recognized performers, directors, designers, conductors, composers, and scholars. Portland State University, Oregon’s largest institution of higher education, serves a diverse student body with a strong urban mission. The School seeks a full‑time, tenure‑track artist–teacher at the Assistant Professor level to lead the acting area and teach introductory through advanced courses in acting, as well as core major and elective courses such as Introduction to Theater and Script Analysis. The successful candidate will bring vision, rigor, and innovation to the program. They should have a primary specialization in acting, the ability to teach a range of acting styles and methodologies at all levels, significant professional experience, a record of outstanding teaching, and strong knowledge of dramatic literature from the Greeks through Shakespeare to contemporary works. We particularly value candidates who integrate the conventional canon with theatre of the Global Majority, non‑Western performance traditions, and/or experimental approaches to performance. Qualifications MFA in acting or related field Demonstrated higher‑education teaching experience in acting and/or related areas Significant acting experience in a variety of professional theaters Experience and training in Global Majority, non‑Western performance traditions, and/or experimental approaches to performance Experience in and ability to teach at least two to three additional performance specialties, such as: Movement (Viewpoints, Suzuki, clowning, dance, etc.) Voice and speech (Fitzmaurice, Skinner, Berry, or comparable systems) Intimacy direction Acting for the camera Musical Theater Stage combat Dialects Preferred Qualifications Experience and training in directing and/or producing Demonstrated interest in working with a broad range of student populations Experience collaborating across music, dance, film, and/or digital media Demonstrated leadership and administrative potential Key Cultural Competencies Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences. Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds. Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement. Adheres to all PSU’s policies, including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct. Environmental Stewardship Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long‑term sustainability goals. Professional Standards of Conduct At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner that maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. Every member of the PSU community is responsible for operating in accordance with the PSU Professional Standards of Conduct. Total Compensation & Benefits Statement Salary will commence at the Q1 level, with opportunity for growth. The starting annual salary for this position is $74,016, potentially negotiable based on experience, expertise, and budget. Benefits include 95% premium‑paid healthcare, a generous retirement and vacation package, and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse, or dependent at any Oregon University System schools. Total compensation calculator available for full benefits value. Application Instructions Click the “Apply” button to submit your application online. Required materials are listed below. Required Materials Cover letter addressing qualifications and how you will contribute to a diverse and inclusive learning community. Curriculum Vitae. Statement of Teaching Philosophy. Portfolio selections (e.g., video reel, images, reviews) showcasing experience in varying styles of performance and/or teaching. Submit as “Work Sample.” Contact information for three professional references (letters of reference will be requested after application submission). Video recordings that are too large may be submitted via a URL to a single website. Please submit reference letters by 1/9/26 to receive preference. Additional Application Instructions Applicants may provide a link to a professional website or news articles. All documents should be uploaded in the designated folders on the applicant portal. Questions For questions, contact the search committee chair, Solomon Weisbard: sweisbard@pdx.edu. #J-18808-Ljbffr