Title: Instructor (Hawaiian Performance - Hula and Chant)
Position Number:
Hiring Unit: College of Arts, Languages & Letters, Department of Theatre & Dance
Location: Manoa
Date Posted: July 5, 2024
Closing Date: July 22, 2024
Salary Information: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Monthly Type: 9 Month
Tenure Track: Non-tenure
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Temporary/Permanent: Permanent
Other Conditions: Non-tenure track faculty position to begin August 1, 2024, pending position clearance and availability of funds.
The Hawaiian Theatre Program in the Department of Theatre and Dance invites applications for a full-time, permanent, non-tenure-track Hula and Chant faculty position at the Instructor level.
The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa is a Carnegie Research I institution and the flagship campus of the UH System and enrolls more than 19,000 students. The University recognizes its special responsibility to Hawai‘i and the Pacific region, reflects and embraces Hawai‘i’s diversity, location, and values, and is committed to cultivating a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning that is responsive to the needs and assets of Native Hawaiian communities and reflective of Indigenous Hawai‘i.
The Department of Theatre and Dance is a global leader in Native Hawaiian, Pacific, and Asian performance, led by a faculty of committed kumu, scholars, directors, playwrights, designers, filmmakers, performers, and choreographers. Our students are made up of the current and next generation of regional and international artists, researchers, community leaders, and educators.
The successful applicant in the Hawaiian Performance area will be expected to teach undergraduate courses in Hawaiian performance, specifically hula and chant, introductory courses in Hawaiian language at Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language, provide mentorship and hands-on training, and work collaboratively with departmental areas in Hawaiian Theatre, Design, Directing, and Dance. This position responds to the needs of Hawai‘i in preparing our students to address diversity, equity, and inclusion for structural change and builds upon our community engagement. For more information about our course offerings, programmatic structure, and production season, see here; for our Action Plan and commitment to IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and access) see here.
Degrees: BA, BFA, MA, MFA, PhD
Focus Areas: Acting; Asian Theatre; Design; Directing; Hawaiian Theatre; Indigenous Performance; Performance Studies; Playwriting; Theatre for Young Audiences; Theatre History & Criticism
Duties and Responsibilities
Teach undergraduate courses in the following areas: hula, chant, and Hawaiian language;
Mentor and supervise students in Hawaiian performance-related work;
Engage in collaborative activities with the Hawaiian Theatre Program’s Hana Keaka productions; i.e., choreograph hula, teach and train students for performances;
Develop new courses as needed and be involved in curriculum development;
Serve as a guest lecturer for other classes within the department to facilitate the instruction of relevant subject matter;
Maintain an appropriate program of professional development;
Participate in the governance of the department and provide service to the college, university, and community;
Other duties as assigned by the Department Chair.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree or equivalent in Hawaiian Language, Theatre and Dance, Education, or relevant field from a college or university of recognized standing with major work within the area of Hawaiian language and/or performance;
Thorough mastery of written and spoken Hawaiian language;
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in Hawaiian and English;
Extensive knowledge of Hawaiian culture and language and the practical application of this knowledge;
Knowledge of Hula and its various genealogies and genres;
Evidence of successful teaching Hawaiian language and hula courses at the college or university level;
Extensive training in traditional hula practice as substantiated by a traditional matriculation process resulting in formal hula rights and kumu hula credentials;
Demonstrated ability to develop curriculum in the Hawaiian performance area;
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and flexibly with students, faculty, staff, administration, and community members.
Desirable Qualifications
Four years of relevant teaching experience at the college or university level in Hawaiian language and/or hula performance;
Experience in developing Hawaiian language and hula curriculum and materials;
Demonstrated knowledge of traditional Hawaiian educational ways of knowing and a capacity for their practical applications;
Extensive experience in hula and engagement with Hana Keaka productions with a focus on choreography, chanting, scripting, directing, and/or storytelling through song and movement;
Experience with training for hula competitions, lu‘au shows, voice for the dancer, chanting, song, music, songwriting, and/or directing;
Professional experience as a choreographer, director, and/or hula dancer;
Experience in community engagement and/or outreach with underserved populations;
Evidence of application of IDEA concepts (Inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) in practice, such as in teaching and/or production;
Experience with new play development.
Salary Information: approx. $60,000 to 68,004 commensurate with qualifications and experience
To Apply:
To apply, click on the “Apply” button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach the following required documents:
Cover letter detailing how you meet the minimum and desirable qualifications and are qualified to perform duties;
Statement including teaching philosophy at the collegiate level, and curriculum development;
Resumé/curriculum vitae;
Portfolio with material showing evidence of hula experience, matriculation process, and/or choreographic experience;
Statement of potential to support the department’s Action Plan, the university’s mission of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access, and the core principles of a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning;
Transcripts for the highest degree (copies accepted, official transcripts required upon hire);
Names and contact information (phone and email) for three professional/academic references.
Inquiries: Search Committee Chair, Tammy Haili‘opua Baker; tbaker@hawaii.edu
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, genetic information, marital status, breastfeeding, income assignment for child support, arrest and court record (except as permissible under State law), sexual orientation, domestic or sexual violence victim status, national guard absence, or status as a covered veteran.