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The School of Theatre and Dance of Columbia College Chicago seeks applicants for a full-time. Teaching-Track Assistant Professor faculty position of Stage Combat beginning August 2026.

The candidate will teach stage combat classes, serve as coordinator of the stage combat program, and oversee combat in productions. The teaching load is 12 credits per semester, with course releases for work on productions and mentoring. This person will coordinate scheduling and staffing of stage combat classes, including part-time faculty and student fight captains. They will supervise the stage violence needs for classes, rehearsals, and performances in Theatre and will identify and mentor student fight choreographers for productions and student films. Other duties include overseeing the theatrical weapons armory for classes and productions (mainstage and student directed projects); overseeing purchase of safety equipment for stage combat classrooms; supporting props in blood delivery systems; contributing to curricular planning and oversight; and providing other forms of service to the School of Theatre and Dance as needed. This person will possess the skills and experience to serve as Coordinator of a nationally recognized Stage Combat program. They must hold the rank of Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors.

In addition to expertise in their field, successful candidates must exhibit excellent teaching and creative/scholarly credentials and be passionate about undergraduate education.

Columbia College Chicago's Stage Combat Program is the largest academic program in the country offering classes in all 8 weapons recognized by the Society of American Fight Directors, as well as classes in History of Martial Styles & Theatrical Violence, Fighting for Film, and Advanced Applications of Stage Combat.

The School of Theatre and Dance at Columbia College Chicago houses majors in Acting for Stage and Screen (BA and BFA), Musical Theatre (BA and BFA), Comedy Writing and Performance (BA and BFA), Dance (BA), and Theatre Arts: Production and Practice (BA) with concentrations in Theatre Design & Technology, Directing, Stage Management, and Theatre Arts. With over 700 students, the School of Theatre and Dance's mission is to provide undergraduate students with a comprehensive education in the practices and processes of creating theatre, dance, and live performance. The School of Theatre and Dance stages approximately 50 productions a year.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Teach at the undergraduate level in areas assigned by the School Director.

• Serve as the Fight Coordinator for the Theatre program (Acting, Comedy, and Musical Theatre).

• Engage with the broader scholarly and professional communities.

• Supervise, advise and mentor students.

• Contribute to the development, planning, and implementation of a high-quality curriculum.

• Commit to continuing professional development.

• Provide service to the college, profession and community.

• Actively follow and promote Columbia College Chicago policies. 

Columbia College Chicago actively promotes, access to an expansive array of social and cultural theories, practices and perspectives that are vitally important to the successful delivery of a contemporary creative curriculum and the college's mission to educate students who will author the culture of their times. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff, and faculty.

We seek individuals with a demonstrated ability to work with students from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds, and whose creative, scholarly and/or professional work contributes to a rich educational experience consistent with our mission. For more information please visit here.

Required Qualifications

• MFA or other degree in theatre/performing arts. Candidates with a post-secondary degree and significant professional experience at the highest level will also be considered. 

• Significant professional experience as a fight director or actor combatant.

• Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors.

Desired Qualifications

• Professional experience and college teaching experience are highly desirable.

Application
To apply for this position, submit the following materials online:

• A letter outlining the applicant's background, qualifications, and vision for the position.

• A curriculum vitae.

• A statement of teaching philosophy

• Contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior consultation with the applicant.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

For best consideration, please apply by April 10.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

Position Minimum Annual Salary: $62,000.00

Position Maximum Annual Salary: $64,000.00

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including department budget.

About the College

Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit college for creatives serving over 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Columbia College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Located in downtown Chicago's South Loop, the College is centered in one of the world's most lively urban cultural areas. Its many competitive advantages include its strong reputation in the creative industries, outstanding faculty and passionate students, impressive technological and physical resources, and a sincere commitment to bringing diverse voices and experiences into proximity with each other to shape new forms of creative practice.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

• Position subject to a background screening.

• This is a non-union position.

• This position is overtime exempt.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.