Professor-in-Charge of MFA Music Direction Program – Penn State

Job Description

The School of Theatre in the College of Arts and Architecture at the Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a senior full-time artist/ educator position in its nationally renowned Musical Theatre program. Rank and salary are competitive and commensurate with experience. This is a tenure line position. The Penn State School of Theatre is home to BFA degrees in Musical Theatre, Acting, Design, and Stage Management, a BA in Theatre, and an MFA in Theatre (with Design, Technology, and Music Direction and Musical Theatre Directing emphases).

The colleague we seek will possess a Master's or terminal degree and will have the qualifications to be appointed to the Penn State graduate faculty. Start date is August 2023. This position mentors graduate students who are preparing to enter the highest levels of the musical theatre by participating in the highly competitive, unique, and groundbreaking MFA Theatre - Music Direction program. This program is unique in the field, and its successful graduates are conducting and music directing multiple Broadway productions and major national tours. The Professor-in-Charge will also work closely with the School of Theatre Graduate Officer and School Director to advance the program, and will work with the Head of Musical Theatre and the musical theatre faculty to continue to build on the undergraduate BFA program's many strengths in training for the musical theatre performer.

Duties include mentorship and instruction of up to four graduate students in classes, studio projects and productions. Responsibilities also include music directing studio classes (examples include Song Analysis, Scene Study, Auditions, New Works, Showcase), accompanying voice lessons, and teaching multiple levels of Music Theory classes. Music Direction of select studio and Penn State Centre Stage productions, participation in student recruitment, faculty committees and governance are also expected.

Qualifications include experience as a musical theatre educator in addition to significant professional experience in the professional musical theatre. Evidence of equitable considerations, awareness, and practice regarding curricula development, inclusive practices in educating diverse student bodies or working with a diverse faculty and staff, along with evidence of working collectively to cultivate a culture that supports success and enables all members of a college community to thrive is required. Knowledge of all styles of musical theatre is expected - including pop, rock, country, and rap/ spoken word. Candidate must have a comprehensive knowledge of the musical theatre repertoire and possess advanced piano and sightreading skills. Proficiency with Finale/ Sibelius and MainStage software programs and experience in arranging is also desired. The ideal candidate will have a passion for remaining current in the field regarding evolving styles, techniques, and repertoire.

The College of Arts and Architecture is working to establish a culture of anti-racism and anti-oppression that embraces individual identities, fosters a culture of inclusion, and promotes equity through curricula, values, standards, ideals, policies, and practices. The ideal candidate will provide evidence of their experience with, and interest in, contributing to these goals. A diversity statement describing the applicants work in this area is expected, along with a statement regarding teaching philosophy and the training of graduate students.