Quarterly Lecturer in Playwriting

Position Title:

Position Type:

Salary Range:

$9552 for each 4 or 5 unit course. The position is a 1.0 course load.

Purpose:

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Santa Clara University the Jesuit Catholic university seeks applicants for Quarterly Lecturer (non-tenure track) positions to teach courses in Playwriting from established syllabi. Specific assignments will be made according to the academic qualifications of the individual and programmatic need. The course is a ten week workshop class where playwrights are writing new plays. The class culminates in four nights of staged readings in the New Playwrights Festival May 31 - June 3 2026.

Santa Clara University is on the quarter system and the quarters are 10 weeks long with an 11th week for final examinations. The successful candidate will teach no more than 2 courses in any quarter and no more than four courses over the fall winter and spring quarters. All classes will be presented in- person however if the county health and university health conditions deteriorate the successful candidate may be asked to teach part of the course online.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• MFA in Theatre or commensurate professional experience.

• Previous teaching experience at the university level.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Collaborative work style and strong organizational skills.

• Commitment to teaching playwriting within a liberal arts context.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MFA in Playwriting.

• Familiarity with Liz Lermans workshop process.

• Experience with inclusive pedagogical practices that promote access and academic success for all students.

• Experience teaching and mentoring a diverse population of undergraduate students.

RESPONSIBILITIES
TEACHING (100%)
Teaching duties will not exceed more than two courses in any quarter and no more than four in any academic year and will include but are not limited to fulfilling all responsibilities associated with assigned courses including:

a. Teach course: THTR 190 New Playwrights Festival from an approved syllabus in Spring 2026 quarter on Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:50-5:30 pm;
b. Conducting and appearing at all assigned class meetings in a timely and prepared manner that demonstrates a command of the discipline and skill in presenting it effectively;
c. Assigning and evaluating assignments that align with the course description and course learning outcomes and providing timely feedback to students;
d. Holding regular weekly office hours on campus;
e. Submitting student grades that are appropriate accurate and fair measures of student performance to the Office of the Registrar by the designated deadline;
f. Administering numerical and narrative evaluations for all courses;
g. Where applicable teaching from an approved syllabus for the University Core courses assigned or working with the Chair to design an appropriate syllabus for submission for approval from the relevant Faculty Core Curriculum Committee.

h. Fulfill other instructional or academic duties as appropriate as may be requested by the Chair of the Department.

The successful candidate will lead the workshop sessions and provide individual dramaturgical advice and exercises as well as sessions on the business of playwriting. The course uses Liz Lermans Towards a Process for Critical Response as the basis of workshop classes. In addition to teaching the course the candidate will introduce and attend all four nights of the festival.

SERVICE (0%)
This position does not require any service duties. You may be invited but not required to attend department meetings or activities.

REQUESTED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

• Letter of interest;

• CV including teaching and playwriting experience;

• Contact information for two references (both email and phone numbers).

Please submit the following documents by the application deadline: July 6 2025

Questions can be directed to: Kimberly Mohne Hill
Letters of recommendation (if requested) and additional documentation should be sent to Ruth Mikusko Academic Department Manager rmi.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Spring quarter is March 30 - June 12 2026.

THTR 190 New Playwrights Festival

In this workshop course we will engage with the process of moving a play from the page to the stage. Students will engage with a series of generative dramaturgical exercises. Then working with student actors and directors in a collaborative rehearsal period students will interact with their play in motion gaining information for further entry into the work. The class culminates in a festival of staged readings.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that your employment is subject to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 (Local 1021; see Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California Nevada Oregon Washington Arizona and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

Work Authorization:

SCU does not sponsor any applicants for work visas for this position. The successful candidate must be able to provide evidence of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States.

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer.For a complete copy of Santa Clara Universitys equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies see IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Information about Title IX can be found at Information about Section 504 and the ADA Coordinator can be found at . Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report please go to the Campus Safety Serviceswebsite. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at . The report includes the type of crime venue and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources and and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at or by email at