The Department of Theater and Dance at Union College in Schenectady, NY, invites applications to fill a Lecturer position (three-year contract, with opportunity to renew). We are looking for a teaching artist and practitioner in the field with overlapping specialties in areas of acting, directing, voice, and embodied movement. We seek a candidate whose teaching practices are inclusive, identity conscious, and consent based.
Our department is committed to diversifying Union College. The successful candidate must have the ability and desire to work with, mentor and support all students and their diverse backgrounds. A demonstrated commitment to fostering inclusivity at Union and in the department is a crucial aspect of the position. We welcome applications from candidates traditionally underrepresented in Theatre academia.
Position begins September 2024. Salary range $67,000-$69,000 based on experience.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should hold an MFA in Directing, Acting or equivalent terminal degree (ABD considered); other degrees may be considered if the candidate also demonstrates exceptional professional experience. The candidate should demonstrate teaching experience in and/or commitment to a liberal arts context and furnish evidence of teaching effectiveness and professional accomplishment. We seek an artist/educator looking to help create a collaborative community, and spark student investment in, and enthusiasm for the study of performing arts.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include teaching six courses per academic year (usually two courses, in each of three 10 week academic terms) with an expectation that the faculty member will direct one department production each year, with a corresponding course release. Primary courses will include acting and directing (introductory to advanced levels with the ability to incorporate a variety of acting methodologies, particularly those that incorporate anti-racist, decolonized, and non-eurocentric practices). In addition, all Lecturers have co-curricular duties which support programmatic activities for the department. The duties for this position include: being active in season selection and student thesis approvals, student mentorship and advising, internship guidance as well as production coaching support when needed, and developing and supporting community engagement, including with under-represented communities in the college and the
community at large.
About the Department
The Theatre and Dance Department at Union College encourages community engagement, academic excellence and guiding student inquiry and experiences to develop artistic exploration, collaborative skills, and critical thinking. We offer our students hands-on training with a foundation of scholarly investigation by fostering the integration of a liberal arts education and an anti-racist, global perspective of their artistry.
The department fully supports three faculty- or guest artist-directed theater productions in each academic year, one faculty-directed dance concert, two faculty-led dance showcases, and a number of presentations of student-led performances as part of the production season in both dance and theater (three-six+ in each academic year). The department regularly invites guest artists to campus for performances, workshops, master classes in theater and dance, and produces a yearly Dance Residency with a co-produced performance at The Egg Center for the Performing Arts in Albany, NY.
More information may be accessed at https://www.union.edu/academic/majors-minors/theater
About Union College and Schenectady
Union College is a four-year liberal arts institution that provides a blend of intellectual, social, and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social, and personal development of a diverse community.
Union College is an equal opportunity employer and strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin and veteran status. We expect all faculty members to contribute to a thriving, diverse, and inclusive learning community, while promoting a sense of belonging among
students, other faculty, and staff colleagues.
Union College is committed to helping students think across boundaries of disciplines, connecting and integrating their studies in order to make broad contributions to humanity for social change on a local or global scale. In the service of this goal, Union has a vibrant set of interdisciplinary programs to which the ideal candidate might also contribute. These include: Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies; Film Studies; Africana Studies; Asian Studies; Latin American and Caribbean Studies; Jewish Studies; World Music and Cultures, and more.
Schenectady and the surrounding Capital Region offers a variety of cultural opportunities and organizations, from the professional to community-based. Located in the metropolitan area surrounding Albany, Schenectady is three hours from major cities such as Boston, Montreal and New York City.
Requested Materials
Please submit through PageUp: (1) a cover letter outlining your interest in the position and your qualifying artistic and teaching experience. (2) a curriculum vitae that includes realized production experience; (3) evidence of teaching effectiveness, including a teaching statement addressing how you incorporate equity, diversity, and inclusion practices within your pedagogy; (4) examples of creative work or portfolio materials. Names and contact information for three references will be requested from candidates after the first round of interviews. Each reference will then automatically receive an email message requesting that they upload a letter of recommendation to our system. Application deadline: December 18th, 2023 for questions, contact Brittney Belz, at performancesearch@union.edu
We offer exceptional benefits including:
- Generous Vacation, Sick and Personal Time
- Winter Recess Break in Addition to Paid Holidays
- Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
- Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
- Employee Scholarships toward Certifications, Seminars, Training and Professional Development
- Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
- Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
- Tuition Assistance Program for Employee, Spouse and/or Dependents
Accommodations
If you require an accommodation throughout the interview process, please don't hesitate to contact our Human Resources department at hr@union.edu or 518-388-6108. We are committed to ensuring that all candidates have equal access to opportunities and can participate in a fair and inclusive hiring process.
Diversity at Union College
Union College is an equal-opportunity employer and is strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social, and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social, and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, and veteran status. Union College is committed to providing access and will provide reasonable accommodation in its application process to individuals with disabilities who request such accommodations.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Union College will not discriminate in the recruitment or selection of faculty and employees, or in any other area of employment, on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status. In this regard, opportunities for advancement will be made available without bias. The College is also subject to state and federal laws and supports efforts to attract and retain fully qualified women and other minority group members for faculty and other positions. Union College will comply with the letter and intent of all State and Federal laws and applicable orders pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action.
Union College
Union College (union.edu) is a small, highly selective undergraduate institution with particular strengths in science and engineering. Located in the heart of New York’s Capital District, Union College is only a short drive away from New York City, Boston, and Montreal (approximately three hours). Union College is an equal opportunity employer and strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin and veteran status. We expect all faculty members to contribute to a thriving, diverse, and inclusive learning community, while promoting a sense of belonging among students, other faculty, and staff colleagues.
