School for the Contemporary Arts
Simon Fraser University
Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Performance Creation
The School for the Contemporary Arts at Simon Fraser University invites applications for a tenure-track
position in Performance Creation, at the Assistant Professor level, for our Theatre Performance Area,
starting July 1, 2020.
Context
The School for the Contemporary Arts (SCA) is situated in one of downtown Vancouver’s most dynamic
and diverse neighbourhoods. A department within the Faculty of Communication, Art, and Technology,
SCA offers a unique curriculum in which studio classes in dance, film, music/sound, theatre performance
and production, and visual art are integrated with the historical and theoretical study of the arts. This
meeting of creative practice with academic enquiry is a core value of the school and is enhanced by our
attention to critical contemporary issues as well as our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration
both within the classroom and beyond. Our context as an Art School within the top-ranked
comprehensive university in Canada is a great strength: we pride ourselves on offering all of the
advantages of an intimate, small art school–excellent student mentorship and faculty-student
interaction, a knowable community, a sense of belonging and familiarity, and a shared sense of purpose-
-and the advantages of a large university with the vibrancy and opportunities that come from an
institution that spans dozens of academic programs.
Faculty
In the SCA, we value interdisciplinary art-making that is grounded in disciplinary training, an integration
of creative and scholarly education, and maintaining a significant presence in the local, national and
international arts communities. Our faculty are internationally recognized for research excellence in
interdisciplinary art-making. All faculty are established working artists, artist-scholars, or scholars. In
general, our artists are creators — choreographers, composers, filmmakers, lighting designers, visual
artists — as well as performers, directors, and dramaturges.
Theatre Performance Program
The SCA Theatre BFA Performance program offers a rigorous, dynamic approach to contemporary
theatre practice. We are respected nationally and internationally for our unique emphasis on devised
theatre, physical practice, and collaborative ensemble techniques. Our studio cohort approach
emphasizes thorough artist training in both individual work and in collaborative creation. Performance
students take studio courses in acting, movement, voice, playmaking, directing, and dramaturgy;
academic courses in theatre history, performance theory, and dramatic literature; and courses outside
the discipline, including the School’s core courses, with a special emphasis on production and design.
Many alumni of the Theatre Performance Program have gone on to launch independent theatre
companies known nationally and internationally for innovative productions and ensemble approaches.
The School’s work is strengthened through its relationship to various community partners, such as the
acclaimed PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.
Position Description
We seek a Theatre Director with demonstrated expertise in contemporary performance practices in one
or more of the following areas: devised theatre, non-traditional performance creation, Indigenous
Performance, or intercultural performance. The successful candidate should have significant experience
working collaboratively in performance creation. Preference will be given to applicants who embrace
expanded notions of performance, such as: devised theatre, immersive or site-specific performance,
land-based practices, post-internet creative strategies, post-dramatic theatre, transmedia storytelling,
or design-led creation. Applicants must have a vibrant and continuing artistic practice that reflects the
latest contemporary performance developments, along with a commitment to developing artistic
collaborations in an interdisciplinary environment. We actively seek candidates who will complement
and diversify the Theatre Performance Area’s cultural, pedagogical and artistic strengths.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be required to teach within the Theatre Performance program, which
encompasses progressive training in performance and devising practices; and includes live performance
opportunities. The candidate will be expected to contribute to the advancement and growth of the
Theatre Performance area, teach acting, devising and directing, assist in student recruitment, direct
occasional Main Stage productions and mentor students in creative and academic endeavors.
Additionally, the position will include committee responsibilities, supervision of graduate students, and
occasional graduate level teaching. The candidate will be expected to maintain a robust artistic practice
and work with SCA to advance the concepts of contemporary performance.
Qualifications
Applicants should have a completed terminal degree (PhD or MFA) in a field or discipline of
demonstrated relevance and a serious artistic practice. The successful candidate will demonstrate
excellence or the clear promise for excellence in creative research and post-secondary studio teaching.
Prior activities demonstrating leadership, service, and commitment to diversity is strongly sought after.
Application Requirements and Deadline
All applications must include:
• A letter of application outlining creative and scholarly background
• A curriculum vitae
• Links to samples of creative work and reviews
• A statement of teaching philosophy
• The contact information for three confidential referees
Please note that materials submitted will not be returned.
Submit all applications by email to Elspeth Pratt, Director, c/o Samantha Diamond, scasec@sfu.ca. The
review of applications will begin August 30th, 2019 and continue until the position is filled. To ensure full
consideration applications should be submitted by this date.
The position is subject to availability of funding and final approval by the SFU Board of Governors. All
qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will
be given priority. Simon Fraser University is committed to employment equity and encourages
applications from all qualified people, including visible minorities, persons of Indigenous heritage,
persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+-identified persons.
As it is an ongoing commitment of SFU to reflect the diversity of our student body in our faculty
complement, preference will be given to an Indigenous person from the Americas.
Under the authority of the University Act personal information that is required by the University for
academic appointment competitions will be collected. For further details please see the Collection
Notice. http://www.sfu.ca/vpacademic/Faculty_Openings/Collection_Notice.html
For more information about our School and our University, please visit: www.sfu.ca/sca