APAP Career Center

The Department of Theater at Swarthmore College invites applications for a full-time tenure-track position in Design at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank, depending on qualifications and experience, beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. We seek candidates who are practicing artists with experience teaching in one of the following areas: costume design, lighting design, and/or sound design. We also welcome candidates who can contribute to and enhance the department’s liberal arts-centered curriculum. Responsibilities include advising theater majors within and outside of the candidate’s areas of expertise and designing in the department’s production season. The typical teaching load is 2 courses per semester.

Inside and outside the classroom, our department prioritizes collaboration and flexibility. As this position will rotate into department leadership, the successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to extend those values into shared governance. The successful candidate will also demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusive pedagogy and to inspiring and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds and identities.

The Department of Theater is close-knit, collaborative, and student-centered. The curriculum is built around a rigorous liberal arts education in combination with a practical exploration of performance that emphasizes experimentation and collaboration. The Department values engagement with both scripted and devised work and seeks to involve students in all aspects of production. We produce 3-5 full-scale productions a year, in addition to student-directed "Nights of Scenes" and assorted workshops, play readings, and other events. Theater faculty are active artists and scholars in their fields, and participate in Philadelphia’s thriving theater and performance community. More information about the department can be found at: https://www.swarthmore.edu/department-theater.

Located in the suburbs of Philadelphia and near Wilmington DE, Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. We welcome applications from all candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable experience effectively supporting, teaching, and engaging a highly diverse student body. For more information available to all faculty at Swarthmore, see https://www.swarthmore.edu/provosts-office/welcome-to-provosts-office

The successful candidate will have:

• MFA and/or Ph.D. in Theater in hand by August 1, 2026

• College-level teaching experience

• Demonstrated level of professional achievement in Theater

Applicants for the position should submit the following materials via Interfolio at: apply.interfolio.com/177022:

• Cover letter that addresses design and teaching experience, interest in teaching at a liberal arts college, and preparation to teach undergraduates of diverse backgrounds 

• Curriculum Vitae

• Two letters of recommendation

• A brief teaching statement that describes your philosophy, policies, and practices which support student success and encourage inclusivity 

• Representative portfolio of design work
  
  
  Review of applications will begin in early January 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Please contact Isaiah M. Wooden (iwooden1@swarthmore.edu), with any questions about the search.

Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity. We welcome applications from all candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to working effectively supporting, teaching, and engaging a highly diverse student body.

About Swarthmore College

Since its founding in 1864, Swarthmore College has given students the knowledge, insight, skills, and experience to become leaders for the common good. Offering a liberal arts and engineering curriculum, the College is private, yet open to all regardless of financial need. It is also decidedly global in outlook, drawing students from around the world and all 50 states. The diversity of perspectives represented by Swarthmore students, faculty, and staff - including different viewpoints, identities, and histories - contributes to the community's strong sense of open dialogue and engagement with ideas and issues.

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