Instructional Assistant Professor of Stage Combat

Note for Current UM Employees

Current employees must apply internally via connectU > connectu.olemiss.edu

Position Description

The Department of Theatre & Film at The University of Mississippi invites applications for an Instructional Assistant Professor of Stage Combat beginning August 21, 2025. This full-time position requires an MFA, or other terminal degree, or equivalent professional experience at the time of hire. Responsibilities include collaborating with faculty and staff in the theatre area in the offering of a BFA emphasis in Acting for Stage & Screen at a Research I University; teaching undergraduate performance courses within our curriculum at both the lower and upper division including those in specific stage combat techniques (additional courses will be determined based on the areas of expertise of the preferred candidate and may include courses in intimacy choreography, acting styles, and other related courses in performance); and performing service appropriate to the position including recruitment and participation in shared governance. Additional responsibilities may include serving as the fight choreographer and/or director for productions within our mainstage season and mentoring students in the program both academically as well as with career preparation. 

The Department of Theatre & Film is committed to fostering students’ creativity through the development of critical-thinking skills combined with intellectual inquiry. With a focus on academic excellence, creative exploration, and scholarly investigation, our students and faculty learn, evaluate, and exchange their knowledge of theatre and film in an inclusive environment. Students experience a range of perspectives that prepare them for real-world practice in today’s complex world. As a community of artists and scholars we strive to be engaged global citizens as a means to propose and build new visions for the future, while examining expectations of being human in the 21st century. The Department of Theatre & Film currently enrolls 130 majors with 25 full time faculty and offers a BA in Theatre Arts and BFA in Theatre Arts emphases in Acting for Stage & Screen and Design & Theatre Production, as well as a BFA in Film Production.

Our Department recognizes and is committed to the importance of fostering a welcoming environment for all in teaching, research, and service and maintains an enthusiasm for making the most of the opportunities to promote inclusivity in our Department, our academic field, and the broader community.  Our Departmental goals are supported by the larger mission and strategic commitment to access and opportunity at the University of Mississippi and in the College of Liberal Arts.
 

Position Details

Appointment: 9 month

Assignment Type:Non-Tenure Track

Minimum Qualifications

This full-time position requires an MFA, or other terminal degree, or equivalent professional experience at the time of hire.

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Application Procedures

Applicants should complete the University’s online application form at careers.olemiss.edu AND submit a letter of intent and a Curriculum Vitae. Review of applications will begin February 3, 2025. The position will remain open until an adequate pool has been established.

About the University of MS & Oxford, MS

Founded in 1848, the University of Mississippi (UM), affectionately known to alumni, students and friends as Ole Miss, is Mississippi's flagship university. Included in the elite group of R-1: Doctoral Universities - Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and business. The University of Mississippi, consistently named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a “Great College to Work For,” is located in Oxford, MS, which is ranked one of the “Top 10 Best College Towns.” With more than 24,000 students, UM is the state's largest university and is ranked among the nation's fastest-growing institutions. The University of Mississippi, which has aggressively implemented many health and wellness initiatives for its more than 2,900 employees, has consistently been named one of Mississippi’s Healthiest Workplaces.

Touted as the “Cultural Mecca of the South”, creativity abounds in Oxford as musicians, artists and writers alike find inspiration in Oxford’s rich history, small town charm and creative community. Oxford is a one-hour drive south of Memphis, TN and is known as the home of Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner. Over the years Oxford has also been known for offering exceptional culinary experiences and as the home of the University of Mississippi and the Ole Miss Rebels, there is always something here to immerse yourself in. Oxford has also been featured as a literary and arts destination in such publications as The New York Times, Southern Living, Condé Nast Traveler, and GQ. Among other cultural activities, annual events include the Oxford Film Festival, a thriving local music scene, and the Ford Center Performing Arts Series. Oxford is a vibrant university town, filled with unique shops and galleries, eclectic restaurants and clubs, historic landmarks, and comfortable inns.

The University of Mississippi, the state’s flagship university, is also its largest, with a student body of approximately 24,710 students, including 20% students of color and students from over 80 countries. UM is ranked among the nation’s fastest-growing institutions and has been consistently recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The university has an R-1 Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification. The university recently launched its new strategic initiative, EmpowerNow.
Mississippi provides a rich environment for creativity and research. The university is located in Oxford, home to a vibrant literary and arts scene, about an hour south of Memphis and three hours north of Jackson, MS. Each year the community hosts the Oxford Film Festival, the Double Decker Music Festival, and the Oxford Blues Festival, among other gatherings, and UM sponsors the Oxford Conference for the Book and a yearlong performing arts series at the Gertrude C. Ford Center among its many cultural events.
•    UM Department of Theatre & Film: https://theatreandfilm.olemiss.edu 
•    Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts: https://fordcenter.org 
•    UM University Museums: https://museum.olemiss.edu/
•    Visit Oxford: https://visitoxfordms.com/
•    Yoknapatawpha Arts Council: https://oxfordarts.com/
•    Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce: https://oxfordms.com/chamber-of-commerce/
 

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.