Job Details

Drama/Theatre Full-Time Tenure Track Instructor

Position Number: 6917981
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Theatre and Dance

Drama/Theatre Full-Time Tenure Track Instructor

Cuesta College

Salary: $68,383.00 - $145,819.00 Annually
Job Type: Full Time - 10 Months/ 100% FTE
Job Number: FY2526-00118
Location: San Luis Obispo Campus, CA
Department: Instruction
Closing: 4/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description Summary

The Theatre Department at Cuesta College is seeking a full-time, tenure-track Theatre Instructor to begin in Fall 2026.

This position is responsible for teaching theatre courses, directing a minimum of two productions per academic year, and providing artistic leadership for the department. The successful candidate will help guide the vision of the program while honoring the work, history, and reputation that have shaped it over many years.

Cuesta Drama has earned consistent regional and national recognition through the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival and is known for producing ambitious, collaborative, and immersive work. We are seeking a candidate who respects that legacy and is excited to contribute their own perspective as the program moves into its next chapter.

About the Program

The Theatre Department values collaboration across all areas of production, including performance, design, and technical theatre. Our work is built on trust, communication, and shared responsibility between students, faculty, and staff.

We believe theatre education should be hands-on and experiential. Students are encouraged to explore multiple areas of the discipline so they graduate with a broad understanding of the collaborative process and a strong foundation of transferable skills. Our goal is to help students discover their strengths, challenge themselves creatively, and feel a meaningful connection to their work.

The department places a strong emphasis on creating rehearsal and classroom environments that are respectful, inclusive, and supportive while still maintaining high artistic standards.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work
Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/benefits/index.html

Essential Functions & Qualifications

Responsibilities
The Theatre Instructor will:

Teach Theatre Arts courses in accordance with approved course outlines
Direct a minimum of two departmental productions each academic year
Provide artistic leadership and long-term vision for the theatre program
Work effectively with faculty, staff, designers, technicians, and students
Support safe practices in rehearsal and performance spaces
Mentor students with a wide range of goals, including transfer, professional interest, and personal enrichment
Collaborate with Cuesta College Cultural and Performing Arts Center staff on annual scheduling and facility use
Manage productions within budgets and demonstrate strong written communication skills
Participate in curriculum development, program review, and student learning outcome assessment
Serve on department, division, and college committees as part of shared governance
Maintain regular office hours and support student success outside the classroom
Due to the nature of theatre production, evening and weekend hours are expected during rehearsal and performance periods.

Community and Collaboration

We value candidates who see theatre as both an educational and community-centered practice. The successful applicant will recognize the importance of collaboration not only within the college but also with regional arts partners and organizations to expand opportunities for students and strengthen community connections.

We are particularly interested in candidates who enjoy engaging with all areas of theatre and who value technical and production work as an essential part of the student learning experience.

Desired Qualifications

Experience directing or producing theatre in an educational or professional setting
Experience working within collaborative production environments
Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills
Demonstrated commitment to student safety and responsible production practices
Experience mentoring students with diverse backgrounds and goals
Interest in interdisciplinary or nontraditional theatrical work
Grant writing experience or familiarity with arts funding is desirable

To be considered for the Drama/ Theatre Arts discipline:

-Master's or Master of Fine Arts in drama/theater arts/ performance

OR

- Bachelor's or Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama/theater arts/performance AND Master's in comparative literature, English, communication studies, speech, literature or humanities

OR

-The equivalent. (Candidates applying on the basis of equivalency must submit all materials requested for an equivalency judgment. For directions on what is an acceptable equivalency argument please review the requirements listed on the HR Website or see further information on Equivalency Petition Process Information below.)

OR

-A valid Community College credential in the discipline (If received prior to 1990, as the credential is no longer being issued).

Required:

-Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

Desirable:

-Teaching experience in the discipline, community college level preferred;
-Awareness of the philosophy and objectives of California Community Colleges.

Additional Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.

Cover letter;
Resume or curriculum vitae;
Reference List (see further instructions below);
Unofficial transcripts (see further instructions below);
Teaching philosophy and Diversity statement (see further instructions below).

Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community.

In order to best prepare your diversity statement for this application, please review our Academic Senate approved Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Rubric, please visit our Equal Employment Opportunity Page: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/eeo/index.html

In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.

Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Unofficial Transcript Instructions: Transcripts need to show that you meet the minimum qualifications (with degree conferred) and/or have a foreign degree evaluation completed if the degree you hold is from outside of the US. If the titles of your degrees on your transcripts do not show that you meet the minimum qualifications as written above, it is necessary to submit an equivalency petition with your application. See below for more information about equivalency.

Equivalency Petition Process Information: Faculty shall meet the minimum qualifications established by the Board of Governors, or shall possess qualifications that are at least equivalent to the minimum qualifications set out in the regulations of the Board of Governors. If a candidate's earned degrees do not exactly match the minimum qualifications, they can submit a Petition for Equivalency form in order to apply for equivalency. For more information on the process, please review the links below.

Equivalency Process (AP 7211) (Download PDF reader)

Petition for Equivalency Form

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Please contact HR to ensure all documents have been uploaded and your file is complete up until 72 hours before the closing date.

SALARY SCHEDULE
Salary is determined by education and experience. More information regarding our current salary schedules can be found on the following link:

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/employee/cba-salary-schedules.html

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address:
https://www.cuesta.edu/community/publicsafety/crime-information/clery-act.html

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/human-resources/job-opportunities.html

Interview Process Information

First round interviews will be held in person on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Applicants in need of accommodation should contact Human Resources at hr@cuesta.edu.

In the interest of equity, candidates invited to interview on campus may be reimbursed up to $500 toward travel expenses.

Second round interviews will be conducted via Zoom on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cuesta

The San Luis Obispo County Community College District promotes inclusiveness, prohibits discrimination, and encourages all qualified persons to apply. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Cuesta College actively seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds to assist students, staff, and faculty. For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) assistance with the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office: (805) 546-3129.