VP Area: Theatre School

Department: Theatre School

FLSA Status: Exempt

Benefit Eligibility:  Yes

The School of Theatre at Oklahoma City University invites applications for a full-time Assistant Professor of On-Camera Acting to join the performance faculty. The successful candidate will be an artist-educator with professional screen and/or stage experience who demonstrates a strong commitment to student-centered teaching and collaborative program development.

This position contributes to an evolving on-camera curriculum that bridges foundational actor training with contemporary screen performance practices, preparing students for professional work in film, television, and emerging media environments.

The faculty member will teach introductory and advanced on-camera acting courses and may also teach elsewhere in the acting curriculum, including special topics related to screen performance and industry practice.

This is a tenure-track faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. 

Position Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate on-camera acting courses at introductory and advanced levels.
• Maintain a 12-hour per semester teaching load consistent with School and University guidelines.
• Integrate camera awareness, shot structure, and basic production workflow into actor training.
• Mentor students toward professional readiness through clear, industry-informed pedagogy.
• Collaborate with faculty across performance, production, and media disciplines in support of shared curricular goals.
• Participate in curriculum development, assessment, and ongoing program growth initiatives.
• Contribute to the School of Theatre service, recruitment, and artistic culture.

Program Context

The School of Theatre offers an active production-based BFA program and is part of the Margaret E. Petree College of Performing Arts, which includes the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment and the Wanda L. Bass School of Music.

Degree offerings include:

• BFA in Acting
• BFA in Design and Production
• BA in Theatre Entrepreneurship and Innovation

TheatreOCU, the School of Theatre’s producing arm, mounts four mainstage and up to seven laboratory productions annually. The School maintains partnerships with local professional organizations including Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, and Oklahoma City Ballet.

Additional information about the School of Theatre can be found at http://www.okcu.edu/theatre

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to teach on-camera acting at the collegiate level.
• Professional acting experience in stage and/or screen contexts.
• Minimum of two years of professional acting experience.
• Minimum of one year of college-level teaching experience.
• Evidence of sustained professional practice and teaching effectiveness.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team-based faculty environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• MFA or terminal degree in Acting or related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Union affiliation (e.g., SAG-AFTRA, AEA) or equivalent professional standing.
• Experience teaching performance for camera, including an understanding of shot composition, framing, continuity, and on-set workflow as it relates to actor training.
• Additional strengths that complement the current on-camera curriculum (e.g., performance for camera within production environments, on-set workflow and actor collaboration, voice and speech, film-focused script analysis, movement for camera, or related areas).
• Interest in developing sustainable, repeatable teaching and curricular systems that support program growth.
• Demonstrated commitment to mentoring students with varied backgrounds, goals, and career pathways.

Teaching Philosophy and Program Culture

The School of Theatre seeks a collaborative artist-educator who combines strong pedagogical practice with active or recent professional engagement in screen performance and demonstrates interest in strengthening both curriculum and industry-facing training opportunities for students.

This position offers an opportunity to help shape a growing on-camera program grounded in strong artistic pedagogy and contemporary professional practice in screen storytelling.

Faculty contribute to a collegial culture defined by collaboration, clear communication, and shared investment in student success. Inclusive teaching practices are central to the program, and candidates should demonstrate a commitment to supporting a diverse student body through equitable and respectful learning environments.

Promotion and Tenure

Effective teaching, scholarship, and service are required for faculty promotion and tenure. Additional requirements are established by each school and college and are defined in the School of Theatre Procedures for Renewal, Promotion, and Tenure appendix to the OCU Faculty Handbook.

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit the following materials:

• Curriculum vitae
• List of three professional references
• Cover letter addressing qualifications, program fit, and the required and preferred criteria outlined in this posting
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., teaching evaluations, sample syllabi, or other supporting materials)

Review of applications will begin on March 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Salary is commensurate with credentials and experience

Please direct questions about the position to Professor Caroline Liem at cliem@okcu.edu

The University:

Founded in 1904, Oklahoma City University (OCU) is an independent university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university is characterized by an intellectually challenging and vibrant student-centered learning community committed to preparing students to become effective leaders in service to others. With an enrollment of approximately 3600 students and low faculty-student ratio of 1:14, classes are small and students have many opportunities for close associations with faculty and staff in the classroom and beyond. Faculty and students are partners in a learning process that focuses on creating effective communicators who respect diversity, possess critical thinking skills and cultural and aesthetic awareness, and are prepared to be responsible and ethical leaders in their communities.

U.S. News and World Report has ranked Oklahoma City University in the top tier of western region master level universities since 1999 and has included Oklahoma City University in the Great Schools, Great Values rankings since 2006.

Employee Benefits:

The position includes an excellent benefit package including tuition remission for spouses and children pursuing a degree at Oklahoma City University and over 500 other participating private institutions, health insurance, long term disability, life insurance, family membership to fitness center, TIAA-CREF retirement plan.

OCU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.