Chair and Professor/Associate Professor, Theatre Arts at InsideHigherEd

The School of Arts & Sciences (SoAS) at Molloy University seeks an accomplished theatre artist and strategic thinker to lead its Department of Theatre Arts. The Department is home to the nationally recognized Molloy/CAP21 Program which offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre in a conservatory setting within a liberal arts university. The Department consists of five (5) full-time faculty, nearly 40 part-time/conservatory faculty, and a professional staff of 9 individuals all dedicated to supporting the educational and professional development of the 125 student artists currently enrolled in the program.

SoAS seeks candidates with exceptional artistry and vision to lead the Department and its faculty. The ideal candidate will hold a terminal degree in Theatre or a closely related discipline, have a record of accomplishment consistent with appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor, be a professional theatre artist with demonstrated experience with a highly collaborative and relational approach to leadership.

Position Description: 

The Chair will serve as a key administrator responsible for assuring the quality and growth of departmental academic and artistic activities and expanding access to resources for students and faculty. The Chair supports faculty in their professional development and works with them to improve curriculum and instruction and to develop new programs that are responsive to the changing needs of the students and the professional industry. The Chair maintains responsibility for the Department personnel, facilities, and budget with the support of the department's professional staff.

A principal focus of this position will be to evaluate and refine the current BFA Musical Theatre degree curriculum and expand departmental programmatic degree offerings and create and implement a shared vision for the Department's expansion and growth. The Chair will collaborate with the Dean of SoAS and the Office of Advancement to develop and engage prospective donors and partnerships to support the Department’s strategic initiatives. The Chair will also collaborate with the Office of Enrollment Management to support departmental recruitment efforts. The successful candidate will cultivate a positive, inclusive, and collaborative environment within the Department to foster a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff, and will represent the department to the broader institution, including close collaboration with the Madison Theatre at Molloy University and the external community.

The Professor or Associate Professor role encompasses teaching, service, scholarship and/or creative activity, including delivering high-quality instruction, conducting research and/or creative projects, advising students, and maintaining office hours for student support. Responsibilities include collaboration with colleagues on academic projects, contributing to the Department’s environment, and active participation in departmental, school, and University-wide committees to shape academic policies.

The primary goal of the Molloy/CAP21 BFA in Musical Theatre is to offer students the highest level of practical and academic preparation to enter and compete in professional theatre. Students and faculty spend time between Molloy’s main campus in Rockville Centre, NY and the Molloy/CAP21 Manhattan Center located at 50 Broadway in New York City. As they pursue the BFA degree in Musical Theatre, Molloy students experience both Molloy University campus life and the New York City professional theatre surroundings. The BFA degree in Musical Theatre is a rigorous and challenging course of study involving both academic coursework and intensive conservatory training. The academic component of this training includes general education courses in the liberal arts and sciences, while the conservatory studio courses focus on the practical application of Musical Theatre performance techniques. The training in acting technique, voice and speech, dance, script analysis, music theory and private voice support students in the development and refinement of their theatre arts skills. In addition, this training provides a solid foundation in audition technique and the business aspects of the professional theatre to prepare students with the skills necessary to launch a professional career and to achieve life-long success in the theatre industry. A hallmark of the Molloy/CAP21 Musical Theatre program is its mainstage production opportunities at the Madison Theatre on the Rockville Centre campus—a 550 seat professional theatre.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• A terminal degree in Theatre (Acting, Directing, Musical Theatre, or a closely related field).
• A record of academic accomplishment consistent with the rank of Associate Professor or Professor and eligible for tenure.
• Demonstrated administrative and academic leadership in the field of Theatre including, but not limited to: Musical Theatre, the performing arts, production design, etc.
• Experience with academic program development, curricular innovation, and outcomes assessment.
• Experience producing theatre, including Musical Theatre, at various professional levels and/or in an academic setting.
• Active connections within the current professional Theatre/Music Theatre industry, in New York City and at the national level.

Salary Information:

When determining the salary offer for a new employee, Molloy considers several key characteristics such as job knowledge, skills, academic rank and experience as well as internal and external equity. The hiring salary range for this position is $110,000.00 to $125,000.00. Candidates whose experience and qualifications align with the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor will be considered; compensation will be determined accordingly based on experience and faculty rank. This hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of compensation at the time of posting.  

As part of its total compensation package, Molloy University offers an extensive range of benefits and programs for its employees including excellent health and dental insurance options, retirement and tuition benefits. For further information, please visit Benefits | Molloy University. 

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants should submit the following materials with their application:

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Statement of Teaching Philosophy
5. Leadership Statement

Location

Molloy University Main Campus Rockville Centre, NY and other Molloy University locations. 

About Molloy University and Molloy/CAP21

Molloy University, an independent, Catholic, Dominican institution located in Rockville Centre, Long Island, provides a value-centered, multidimensional education with more than 50 quality academic undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Founded in 1955 by the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Amityville, the University provides over 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students with a variety of competitive academic programs across the liberal arts and sciences, business, education, and nursing. Combining the strengths of academic excellence and leadership with personal, compassionate mentoring, Molloy brings out the best in every student. Consistently ranked among the top value schools nationally and regionally, Molloy University is one of the most affordable private universities in the New York and Long Island regions. Molloy was named a College of Distinction for the 2023-2024 academic year, marking its commitment to providing a high-quality undergraduate education that focuses on hands-on learning, strong student-faculty relationships, a vibrant campus life, and successful outcomes. Other accolades include a new Carnegie classification for 2025 Student Access and Earnings Classification of “Opportunity Colleges and Universities: Higher Access, Higher Earnings” from the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education. Molloy University and its acclaimed CAP21 Musical Theatre program recently announced a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall featuring “Seth Rudetsky and His Broadway Friends” on November 25, 2025. The Molloy/CAP21 BFA Program is a world-class musical theatre degree program with conservatory style instruction known for training luminaries such as Lady Gaga, Kristen Bell, and Matthew Morrison. The program’s most recent star, Nichelle Lewis ‘21, exemplifies its impact—she rose above more than 2,000 hopefuls to land the iconic role of Dorothy in the 2024 Broadway revival of The Wiz, and is currently starring in the 2025 revival of Ragtime on Broadway.

The University is deeply rooted in the Dominican tradition of study, spirituality, service, and community. These values, known as the Four Pillars of Dominican life, encompass all elements of life at Molloy. The University is committed to academic excellence with respect for all people, and through transformative education, promotes the development of ethical leadership and the pursuit of truth.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. 

Molloy University does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, or military status; in its administration of educational policies, programs or activities; its admissions policies; or in employment practices. Molloy University takes its responsibility seriously to establish an environment in which the dignity and worth of all members of the institutional community are respected. In its effort to provide an optimal learning environment the University seeks the appointment of persons who are highly qualified and whose background is appropriate to fill each vacancy. It is University policy to recruit, employ, retain, and promote employees without discrimination regarding sex, race, color, creed, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, national or ethnic origin or physical disability.