Assistant Professor - Dance

• 496944

• Full-Time

• Theatre

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Department: Theatre and Dance Salary: Commensurate with experience

Description:

The University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Dance, beginning August 2027. Open until filled. Application review will begin Dec. 1, 2026.

We seek an experienced choreographer with an active creative practice and a successful record of teaching dance composition. The successful candidate will teach composition and choreography, studio technique, and theory or studies courses aligned with their creative research, and will choreograph and help produce the program's concerts.

The successful candidate will be flexible, able to teach across a range of studio and study courses, and comfortable working with nontraditional forms and approaches. Areas of interest include site-specific performance, community-based and socially engaged dance practices, dance aesthetics and philosophy, and writing and critical analysis in the arts. We welcome candidates from a broad spectrum of dance practices.

The teaching load is three courses per semester. Creative research is recognized as scholarship for tenure and promotion.

Required Qualifications

• MFA or PhD in Dance or a closely related field, in hand by August 1, 2027
• A substantial professional choreographic record with evidence of an ongoing creative practice
• Demonstrated success teaching dance composition at the college level
• Strong organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships within a program and in the surrounding community

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to teach technique in a variety of contemporary dance forms, and in one or more of ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, or other studio practices
• Grounding in dance pedagogy and dance education, including familiarity with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for dance
• Experience producing concerts or supervising student productions
• Experience mentoring undergraduate creative and research projects
• Experience with community engagement, partnership building, or site-based work

The University of Houston is a Tier One research institution and the Dance Program serves a student body who may pursue a BFA in Dance, focused on choreography, performance, and production, or a BA in Dance, often paired with Teacher Certification for careers in dance education. Both degrees offer students equivalent opportunities to perform on campus and in the community, and a dance minor serves students in other disciplines.

Through its partnership with Performing Arts Houston, the program regularly hosts masterclasses with nationally and internationally recognized companies performing in the city, providing students with direct access to a rotating roster of guest artists. Houston's professional dance ecosystem is deep and varied, encompassing contemporary, ballet, and among others, and the program maintains active relationships across that landscape.

Salary

Commensurate with experience. The University of Houston offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Materials

• Cover letter addressing your choreographic research, teaching, and interest in the position
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching statement
• A single PDF with links to three to five samples of your choreography (total viewing time under 30 minutes), with a brief note on your role in each work
• One or two sample syllabi, at least one from a composition or choreography course
• Names and contact information for three references

Application instructions will be available on the University of Houston's job portal. We will begin reviewing applications on December 1, 2026, and continue until the position is filled. Direct questions about the search to Teresa Chapman at [email protected].

Employees are expected to have a home address in the state of Texas for the duration of their appointments.

Official transcripts are required for a faculty appointment and will be requested upon selection of the final candidates.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check. Individuals conducting research in critical infrastructure areas (i.e., communication infrastructure systems, cybersecurity systems, electric grid, hazardous waste treatment systems, and/or water treatment facilities) are subject to regular review to ensure the security and integrity of the research is maintained.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.