Department of Theatre and Dance

Assistant Teaching Professor of Musical Theatre Dance

Ball State University

The Department of Theatre and Dance invites applications for a non-tenure line Assistant Teaching Professor position of Musical Theatre Dance beginning August 2023.

We seek an individual with innovative ideas about the teaching and practice of dance technique, as well as a commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry and entrepreneurial learning practices within the art of dance. They will play an active and vital role as a teacher in two areas: musical theatre and dance. The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellence in inclusive approaches in the area of musical theatre, jazz, tap, and commercial dance techniques with specific attention to the training of future performers. Their teaching practices should align with the mission and strategic plans of the university, college, and department. Applicants should also be committed to inclusive pedagogies in their teaching, scholarship, and artistry.

Our dynamic faculty function as collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and adaptive members of the College of Fine Arts community, both within and beyond the home unit, serving as quality teachers, productive in creative and/or scholarly work, engaged in public service activities, and contributing to the Ball State and Muncie communities and beyond. Additionally, lifelong learning at Ball State University extends educational engagement beyond the classroom and includes learning for professional development, personal enrichment, or other goals throughout one’s lifetime. Faculty will be expected to participate in the departments, colleges, and university’s lifelong learning opportunities when available and may be assigned teaching responsibility in this area as part of their overall responsibilities.

Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State University’s ambitious goals for our second century:

• We pledge to provide a premier educational experience for every student.
• We pledge to partner with the community to improve the lives of our neighbors.
• We are dedicated to having a lifelong presence in the lives of our alumni.
  And when we complement these promises with our commitment to our enduring values, we define that which makes our University and its culture distinctive.

Our faculty are collegial, collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and adaptive, both within and beyond one’s home unit. These attributes include commitments to collaborative discourse, interdisciplinary inquiry, and enterprising learning practices.

Our faculty are expected to be innovative, adaptive, engaging teachers across modalities; producers of impactful creative and/or scholarly work; leaders in meaningful service activities to multiple communities. We seek faculty members who are strategic thinkers, engaging our dynamic communities. We are committed to student and faculty success, impact, and access, within an environment that prioritizes inclusive excellence. We inspire each other to be critical thinkers and responsible citizens, so that we can pursue fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.

Ball State University lives the values of Beneficence. We invite you to be part of our community.

At Ball State University, Inclusiveness and freedom of expression are a part of our enduring values and inform all of our efforts. We encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with our Inclusive Excellence Plan to learn more about our commitment and to identify how you might contribute to these efforts.

Position Function: Teaching load will include, but not be limited to, all levels of musical theatre dance, jazz, tap, and commercial dance in a rigorous and highly competitive BFA/BA/BS program. All faculty in dance may teach Introduction to Dance courses when the opportunity presents itself. Choreographic opportunities exist within the production season in both the dance and musical theatre programs. Additional opportunities may exist for faculty performance. Strong mentorship skills, significant professional experience as either a choreographer or dancer, and the ability to choreograph musicals and concerts in all styles is needed.

As a faculty member in the College of Fine Arts, they are expected to be a quality teacher, productive in creative and/or scholarly work, and engaged in public service activities, contributing to the Ball State and Muncie communities, and beyond.

Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in dance, musical theatre, or related discipline or equivalent professional experience completed by date of appointment. One year of teaching experience at the university/college level. Experience teaching musical theatre dance, jazz, tap, and commercial dance. The ability to serve as a recruiter and advocate on a National level for the BFA Dance and Musical Theatre programs.

Preferred Qualifications:  M.F.A in Dance, Choreography, or Musical Theatre completed by date of appointment.  Three years of teaching experience at the university/college level.  Substantial experience as a choreographer, performer, or director on Broadway, with established dance companies, or in major Regional dance and theatre venues.  Significant connections and recognitions within the professional dance and musical theatre industries. 

Apply online at: https://bsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/37269

In this application, please submit the following:
1. A one-page letter of application, 
2. A curriculum vita/resume,
3. An inclusive excellence statement describing how you would contribute to the development of a diverse and inclusive learning community at Ball State University through your teaching, research, and/or service. Please include examples of your contributions when possible. Word limit 500
4. A one-page teaching philosophy, and samples of creative work (uploaded to the other category) to Ball State.

The names and contact information for three professional references are required in the application.

Candidates for searches must have current authorization to be employed in the U.S. without employer sponsorship.

Review of applications will begin immediately and to ensure full consideration, applications must be received by June 19, 2023.

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 22,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 120 undergraduate programs. We offer more than 140 master’s, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees, with many of them ranking among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.

The Ball State way is rooted in the Beneficence Pledge – a commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship, honesty and integrity, social responsibility, gratitude and valuing the intrinsic worth of each member of our community. Ball State students, faculty and staff are empowered in a culture that believes in them and demands they believe in themselves. They are partners in an innovative, immersive approach to education. They are supported by living and learning facilities that enable intellectual curiosity. We graduate scholars who are changing the world, and we’ve dedicated our University to do the same.

The university offers an excellent wellness program and extensive benefits offerings to include a generous paid time off package and paid parental leave.  For further information regarding benefits please visit:

Benefits and Community Information for Prospective Faculty Members | Ball State University (bsu.edu)

Ball State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.