Application Deadline:

January 12, 2026

Position Details:

This full-time faculty position is on-campus and in-person.

Chair of the Department of Theatre
The Department of Theatre in the College of Fine Arts at Texas Christian University invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Theatre and Associate/Full Professor of Theatre. The Chair serves as the senior administrator of the academic unit and reports to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts. This is an in-person on-campus tenured faculty position with an administrative appointment. The start date of the position is August 2026.

This leadership role offers an opportunity to shape the future of the performing arts at TCU by continuing our established record of creative excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and national visibility for the Department of Theatre. The next TCU Chair of Theatre will join the department at a crucial time in its history as we are engaged in the renovation of Ed Landreth Hall, the home of the Department of Theatre. This multimillion-dollar project will include new and upgraded academic, production, and performance spaces.

The Chair will:
• provide academic and artistic leadership and contribute to TCU’s goal of becoming an R1 institution, ensuring that the strategic plans of the Department, College, and University are aligned and effectively implemented.
• manage the Department of Theatre’s budgets, financial resources, and facilities.
• work with the Dean, TCU leadership, and Theatre faculty/staff on the renovation of Ed Landreth Hall.
• facilitate and manage program development, assessment, and accreditation activities.
• oversee full-time faculty and staff recruitment, retention, mentoring, evaluation, promotion, and tenure process, and make hiring recommendations to the Dean.
• coordinate faculty course load, curriculum design, and scheduling.
• lead the Department’s student recruitment and retention efforts, including scholarships and awards.
• serve as producing artistic director for Department of Theatre productions.
• foster a supportive culture of collaboration and community among faculty, staff, and students.
• positively represent the Department and work with the Dean on fundraising initiatives, including cultivating relationships with alumni, donors, and community partners.
• work with the Assistant Chair, Coordinator of Curriculum & Assessment, and faculty to develop, expand, and strengthen the Department’s research/scholarly activity portfolio, with a focus on increasing externally funded research output, that enhances the Theatre programs.
• teach a reduced load in the candidate’s area of specialty and maintain a record of scholarly/creative activity and service.

Position Qualifications
Required:
• hold a terminal degree (e.g., MFA or PhD) in Theatre or a closely related field
• qualify for appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor with tenure in the Department of Theatre
• demonstrated record of administrative and/or leadership experience in higher education

Preferred:
• a leadership vision for the Department of Theatre
• excellent communication skills
• experience with administrative responsibilities
• success in working with and building consensus among different areas and constituencies within theatre disciplines
• record of success in providing mentorship to faculty, staff, and students of all levels and ranks
• record of success in recruiting and retaining students, faculty, and staff
• record of excellence as a practicing theatre artist in any theatre discipline(s)
• experience building alliances with leaders and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally and representing and promoting Theatre Arts to other fields and constituencies within and beyond the university
• experience with NAST, ATHE, USITT, AEA, SDC, USA, MTEA, DGA, or other academic/professional organizations and/or unions
• demonstrated fundraising experience

Department Details:

The Department of Theatre offers four BFA degrees dedicated to conservatory-style training inside a liberal arts education, as well as a BA degree in Theatre. As the Department’s production arm, Theatre TCU produces 6-8 productions each academic year, welcomes numerous guest artists, collaborates regularly with professional theatres in the area, and offers unique opportunities that support student professional and educational development. Theatre TCU alumni are performers, choreographers, artistic directors, arts administrators, educators, program developers, studio owners, designers, and more. With a mission to develop educated artists and technicians prepared to become ethical professionals and leaders in the global theatre community, the Department of Theatre is committed to preparing students to enter the professional theatre market and beyond.

Texas Christian University’s Department of Theatre houses a community of artists dedicated to valuing each individual’s unique pathway through the BFA and BA programs. Faculty provide opportunities and experiences to support growth – artistically, intellectually, creatively, professionally, and collaboratively.

Admission to the Department of Theatre is highly competitive. Students must apply to the university through the Office of Undergraduate Admission and complete an audition/portfolio review for entrance to all BFA programs and an interview for all potential BA students.

School/College Description:

The TCU College of Fine Arts is home to six academic units: the School of Art, the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance, the School of Music, the Department of Design, the Department of Fashion Merchandising, and the Department of Theatre. We offer 33 undergraduate degree programs and 24 advanced degree programs to prepare the next generation of creative leaders in the arts. Students in the College of Fine Arts study with renowned professors and guest artists, annually present more than 350 public performances, and regularly present art, design, and research in juried exhibitions and competitions.

University & Fort Worth Description:

ABOUT TCU

Founded in 1873, Texas Christian University sits on 302 acres nestled in a primarily residential part of Fort Worth, just minutes away from downtown. The University includes seven schools and colleges, in addition to the John V. Roach Honors College and the Burnett School of Medicine.

Currently, TCU enrolls more than 10,200 undergraduates and 1,700 graduate students. Twenty-eight percent of students self-identify as a member of a minority group, five percent are international students, and forty-five percent are from out-of-state. Our students are supported by more than 2,200 faculty and staff. The University has more than 700 full-time faculty members and is a top 100 National University as classified by US News and World Report and has a Carnegie Classification of R2: Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity.

ABOUT FORT WORTH

Like TCU, Fort Worth has the approachable, friendly charm of a smaller town, but offers the amenities, cultural activities, diversity and unique personality of a much larger city. Fort Worth, Texas, is the 13th largest city in the United States with an ever-growing population nearing 1 million. Fort Worth and TCU have grown together in a nearly 150-year relationship. You’ll find that many Horned Frogs remain here after graduation, thanks to the region’s thriving job market. Fort Worth is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States, and the number 1 tourist destination in Texas. In 2018, bizjournals.com ranked Fort Worth the 7th most affordable city to live and work in the United States and U.S. News and World Report named Fort Worth one of the Best Places to Live. Fort Worth, Dallas and Arlington all rank among the top 25 most diverse cities in the country.

Fort Worth is known for its vast array of cultural, educational and entertainment opportunities. The city boasts three world class art museums—the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The Bass Performance Hall is one of the premier performance venues in the country. Concerts, film festivals and other events are held regularly at Sundance Square, Panther Island and Near Southside venues.

Required Application Materials & Application Instructions:

1. cover letter including the following: leadership experience and philosophy, teaching
experience and philosophy, research/creative activity highlights (3 pages maximum)
2. curriculum vitae
3. list of three references with contact information for each

The application deadline is January 12th, 2026. All applications will be held in confidence.

After initial review of applications, candidates advancing to the second round of consideration may be asked to submit supporting materials, including examples of academic and artistic leadership, and research and/or creative work. These may also include evaluations, observations, links to a professional activity website, and/or letters of recommendation. All materials are to be submitted online.

Questions regarding the application process may be directed to Human Resources at hrtalentacquisition@tcu.edu or 817-257-7790. Other questions may be directed to the search committee co-chairs, Alan Shorter, Professor of Theatre, at a.shorter@tcu.edu, or Dr. Marc Reed, Director of the TCU School of Music, at marc.reed@tcu.edu

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.