Acting Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Position overview
Position title: Associate Professor of Acting
Salary range: A reasonable salary range estimate for this position is $103,600-$124,300 The posted UC Academic salary scales set the minimum pay as determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See the following table for the salary scale for this position here: UCOP Academic Salary Scales . Please refer to the 10/1/2026 salary scale for Faculty-Ladder Ranks-Professor Series. The base salary range, from the salary table, for this position is $103,600-$114,800 "Off-scale salaries" and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience. Additional UCSD salary information can be found here: UCSD salary information
Application Window
Open date: July 29, 2026
Next review date: Thursday, Oct 15, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Thursday, Jul 29, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Department of Theatre and Dance at UC San Diego Theatre and Dance Department Website invites theatre artists to apply for a tenured faculty position within the Ladder Rank Series. The academic appointment for this position will be for an Associate Professor of Acting, effective July 1, 2027 and instruction beginning September 2027 (Fall Quarter).
The Department of Theatre and Dance at UC San Diego invites applicants specializing in acting to join a vibrant department committed to shaping the future of the arts by fostering a new generation of creative and collaborative theatre professionals. We are seeking a candidate who can lead a rigorous two year graduate acting progression while also teaching undergraduate courses within the Department of Theatre and Dance. The primary focus of this position will be on a practice-based approach to foundational acting techniques, with a secondary emphasis on Shakespeare and/or working with heightened text. Experience and/or demonstrated interest in acting for the camera is highly desirable. In addition to teaching, we are looking for a candidate who can contribute to the creative vision of our department by directing productions during the academic year. As the field of acting continues to evolve, we are seeking a dynamic collaborative leader to guide the acting area through its next phase of growth and innovation.
Professorial appointments and advancement at UC San Diego require a sustained record of high-quality and impactful creative work. The position involves active participation in all aspects of the department, including recruitment, casting, curriculum development and a commitment to contributing to the ongoing development of the acting program.
The responsibilities of this position include teaching a combination of five graduate and undergraduate courses, ranging from small seminars in the candidate's area(s) of expertise to larger courses that serve both the BA and MFA communities and fulfill the relevant Colleges' General Education requirements. Given the department's emphasis on integrating production into the curriculum, we are especially seeking candidates with experience in both acting and directing, who are capable of mentoring MFA students, as well as select undergraduate students, in these disciplines. Committee service is also a key component of this position.
Alongside its ranking as a premier acting program at a Research 1 institution, the Department of Theatre and Dance at the UC San Diego has a continued partnership with the acclaimed, Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse, collaborating on productions annually.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Applicants must possess an MFA or 3 - 5 years of equivalent professional experience and/or relevant training.
Examples of equivalent professional experience and/or relevant training may include such genres as: acting, directing, new play development, and artistic direction. Professional experience and/or relevant training venues may include: resident and regional theatres, studio spaces, cinema, national theatres, cultural and/or community-centered venues, and/or commercial theatres including: Broadway and Off-Broadway.
Applicants must exhibit 5 or more years of teaching experience in Academic or Studio environments.
Applicants must demonstrate 5 years or more of evidence of teaching effectiveness and mentorship in higher education or studio environments. Examples include but are not limited to: positive teaching/mentoring evaluations, student support letters, peer/professional reviews, and applicable awards/honors/nominations.
Applicants are required to have accumulated a body of work consisting of teaching, acting and/or directing professional experience, spanning a decade or more.
Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Personal Statement
• Statement of Research/Professional Work
• Statement of Teaching

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Please provide the contact information for 3 references who can speak to your academic and/or studio teaching experience.
Apply link: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04586
Help contact: m1craig@ucsd.edu
About UC San Diego
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
As a university employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
The University of California prohibits smoking and tobacco use at all of its university-controlled properties.
The UC San Diego Annual Security & Fire Safety Report is available online at: https://www.police.ucsd.edu/docs/annualclery.pdf . This report provides crime and fire statistics, as well as institutional policy statements & procedures. Contact the UC San Diego Police Department at (858) 534-4361 if you want to obtain paper copies of this report.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.
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• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy: [ https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH ]
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties: [ https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination ]
Job location
San Diego, CA