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Playwriting Professor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

DRAMA TEACHER*

Miami, FL · On-site

$3.0K/wk

... playwriting, stagecraft, costuming and makeup. JOB TASKS/RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Instructs students ... professors. Background Screening for the Selected Candidate (External Candidate): Please click on ...

DRAMA TEACHER*

Miami, FL · On-site

$3.0K/wk

... playwriting, stagecraft, costuming and makeup. JOB TASKS/RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Instructs students ... professors. Background Screening for the Selected Candidate (External Candidate): Please click on ...

Playwriting Professor information

See salary details

$42.5K

$80.1K

$135K

How much do playwriting professor jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for playwriting professor in the United States is $80,057.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $91,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Playwriting Professor vs Playwriting Instructor?

AspectPlaywriting ProfessorPlaywriting Instructor
CredentialsMaster's or Doctorate in Theater, Playwriting, or related fieldVaries; often includes experience in playwriting or theater, sometimes certifications
Work EnvironmentUniversities, colleges, academic settingsCommunity centers, workshops, private classes
Employer & Industry UsageHigher education institutions, arts programsArts organizations, private studios, community programs
Search & Comparison IntentAcademic roles, teaching careers, university jobsPractical training, workshop roles, non-academic teaching

While both roles involve teaching playwriting, a Playwriting Professor typically works in academic settings with advanced degrees, focusing on theory and research. A Playwriting Instructor may work in community or private settings, emphasizing practical skills and workshops. The main difference lies in the level of education, environment, and scope of responsibilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Playwriting Professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Playwriting Professor, you need a deep understanding of dramatic structure, scriptwriting techniques, and a track record of professional playwriting, typically supported by an MFA or advanced degree in theatre or creative writing. Familiarity with digital writing platforms, classroom management systems, and theatre production software is often beneficial. Excellent communication, mentorship abilities, and creativity are crucial soft skills for inspiring and guiding students. These skills and qualities are essential to foster student development, contribute to academic programs, and maintain relevance in the evolving field of playwriting.

How do Playwriting Professors typically support students in developing their original scripts from concept to production?

Playwriting Professors play a hands-on role in guiding students through the entire creative process, from brainstorming and outlining ideas to refining dialogue and structure. They provide individualized feedback during workshops, facilitate peer critiques, and advise on revisions to strengthen scripts. Professors also often collaborate with theatre departments or student groups to stage readings or productions, giving students practical experience in bringing their work to life. This mentorship helps aspiring playwrights build confidence, understand industry standards, and prepare for professional opportunities.

What does a Playwriting Professor do?

A Playwriting Professor teaches students the art and craft of writing plays, often working within a college or university's theater or creative writing department. They instruct students on dramatic structure, character development, dialogue, and theatrical conventions. In addition to teaching, Playwriting Professors may mentor students, oversee workshops and productions, and conduct research or write their own plays. They often participate in curriculum development and may advise theater productions on campus.
What cities are hiring for Playwriting Professor jobs? Cities with the most Playwriting Professor job openings:
What states have the most Playwriting Professor jobs? States with the most job openings for Playwriting Professor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Playwriting Professor job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,057 per year, or $38.5 per hour.
Assistant Professor of Creative Writing - Department of English #26-11

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing - Department of English #26-11

California State University

Northridge, CA • On-site

$84K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


California State University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

216th of 537 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing - Department of English #26-11
Job no: 553076
Work type: Instructional Faculty - Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: Northridge
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Letters/Humanities, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time
Tenure-Track Faculty Position Announcement
Department: English
Faculty Hire Number: #26-11
Rank: Assistant Professor
Effective Date of Appointment: August 19, 2026 (Subject to Budgetary Approval)
Anticipated Salary Range: Up to $84,000 annually (Dependent upon qualifications)
CSUN's Commitment to You:
CSUN is committed to achieving excellence through teaching, scholarship, learning, and inclusion. Our values include a respect for all people, building partnerships with the community, and the encouragement of innovation, experimentation, and creativity. CSUN strives to cultivate a community in which a diverse population can learn and work in an atmosphere of civility and respect. CSUN is especially interested in candidates who make contributions to equity and inclusion in the pursuit of excellence for all members of the university community.
As a Hispanic-serving Institution (HSI), inclusiveness and diversity are integral to CSUN's commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement. As of Fall 2025, CSUN enrolls 36,960 students, where 57.5% are Latinx, 18.4% are White, 8.5% are Asian-American, 5.5% are Black/African American, 0.1% are Native American, and 0.1% are Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.
For more information about the University, visit: http://www.csun.edu
About the College:
For more information about the College of Humanities, see: https://www.csun.edu/humanities/college
About the Department:
For more information about the Department of English, see: https://www.csun.edu/humanities/english
Position:
The Department of English at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is seeking a tenure-track faculty member in Creative Writing, with a specialization in narrative, at the rank of Assistant Professor.
The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the ongoing development of a thriving Creative Writing Option at both undergraduate and graduate levels; teach upper division and graduate courses in fiction, creative nonfiction, and other emerging prose forms; regularly teach a multi-genre GE introduction to creative writing that covers poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and drama; and continue to develop as an active artist and scholar. Desirable secondary interests include: playwriting, poetry/poetic forms, experience or interest in managing an undergraduate literary magazine, new media and digital writing, video gaming narrative, graphic narrative/comics, mixed/multiple writing genres, and/or genre-based writing.
In addition to teaching, the position requires weekly office hours, attending faculty meetings, participation in assessment of student learning, and service to the department, college, and university. The successful candidate may be required to teach on weekdays, evenings, weekends, and/or online and will be held to the standards and requirements of the college and department in which he/she/they is/are housed for recommending tenure and promotion. Given CSUN's commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and engagement in a diverse environment, the successful candidate will help the Department achieve equitable academic outcomes for all students through teaching, student mentorship, scholarship, and service.
The standard teaching load for tenure-track/tenured faculty at CSUN is 12 units per semester or four classes per semester, although new tenure-track faculty typically teach a reduced teaching load of three classes per semester for their first two years.
Required Qualifications:
  • M.F.A. or Ph.D. in Creative Writing or related field, with a specialization in narrative from an accredited institution, awarded by the time of campus visits.
  • Evidence of effective in-person College or University-level teaching experience
  • Evidence of published creative work and potential for continuing development as a writer

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Ph.D. in Creative Writing or related field preferred from an accredited institution
  • Evidence of effective engagement OR potential to engage with a diverse student body
  • Experience using culturally responsive pedagogy that leads to equitable outcomes for all students
  • Experience creating a student-centered learning environment
  • Experience that includes working with students from diverse backgrounds
  • Experience adopting inclusive approaches to mentoring
  • Experience teaching creative writing courses

Application Deadline:
Screening of applications will begin on December 12, 2025, with priority given to applications received by that date, but the position will remain open until filled.
How to Apply:
Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN online application. To apply and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link: www.csun.edu/careers
Applicants must submit a letter of application and CV to the website in the section above. In later stages of the search process, applicants may be requested to provide additional materials, including writing samples and evidence of teaching effectiveness.
At the time of appointment, the successful candidate, if not a U.S. citizen, must have authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work in the United States. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States.
Please note: California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the "Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers" issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.
General Information:
In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Northridge has made crime-reporting statistics available online here. Print copies are available by request from the Department of Police Services, the Office for Faculty Affairs, and the Office of Equity and Diversity.
The person holding this position may be considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.
CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, and disability. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in the Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Department of English at 818-677-7207.
Advertised: Nov 14 2025 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:
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About California State University

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California State University, Fresno is one of 23 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.

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