Postdoctoral in Theater
School of Social and Human Studies
Academic Freedom to Discover Your Purpose
Open Curriculum Design at Atlantic International University
The Atlantic International University (AIU) postdoctoral in theater allows scholars to engage in increasingly advanced artistic inquiry and develop a flexible academic program based on their own research interests and prior experience. AIU has developed an innovative theater research fellowship educational model for the study of theater using andragogy and distance/online learning, which allows seasoned practitioners/researchers/educators of theater to further refine their individual specialties while also creating a personalized, flexible academic program based on their interest in the field.
Unlike conventional postdoctoral in theater academic programs that establish predetermined, rigid curricula, AIU’s postdoctoral program strongly encourages candidates to weave together diverse fields of study (performance studies/dramaturgy/directing/cultural analysis/arts leadership and interdisciplinary approaches) including current technologies (digital and emerging) to create a single cohesive research focus around which all performing arts postdoc research may be conducted. Through this type of postdoctoral in theater academic structure, students have greater flexibility to complete postdoc in theatre studies research based upon their individual schedules/commitments and help to generate innovative ideas and practices that expand the reach and scope of scholarship on a global scale and, consequently, provide original thought to the current ongoing discourse within the field of theater.
What are the Core Courses & Topics for Postdoctoral in Theater ?
Important: Below is an example of the topics or areas you may develop and work on during your studies. By no means is it a complete or required list, as AIU programs do not follow a standardized curriculum. It is meant solely as a reference point and example. Want to learn more about the curriculum design at AIU? Check here: Course and Curriculum
The Postdoctoral Program in Theatre at AIU focuses on both traditional and emerging theatrical practice and scholarship through core learning areas which engage the learner’s interests. Instead of being fixed, course titles are designed to give theatre postdoctoral program learners an opportunity to further explore performance, research creativity, critical engagement with the world through social institutions, the development of culture, the integration of multiple disciplines, and the emergence of techniques to create new forms and styles that are relevant today.
Candidates with postdoc opportunities in theater will look at how the theory of theatre relates to its practice and the effect theatre has on society, how to use the process of creating theatre to make it more successful, as well as how technology shapes the tools of creating and sharing art. Together, these theatre history dramatic arts postdoctoral research areas create the foundation for a more academic approach to theatre that enables the learner to align their own professional, artistic, and intellectual goals with the support of AIU’s open and flexible model for education.
- Higher Education Theatre Advanced Pedagogical Theory and Practice
- Theatre as Research Methodology in Performing Arts
- AI, Motion Capture & Extended Reality in Live Performance
- Digitization, Digital Preservation, and Archiving of Performance
- Digital, Virtual, & Immersive Performance
- Postdoctoral Research Colloquium
What are the Orientation Courses for Postdoctoral in Theater ?
The Postdoctoral Program in Theatre provides scholars with a basic framework for understanding how to navigate their research-driven, andragogical learning style through Orientation Courses. The Orientation Courses introduce candidates to the expectations of an advanced academic environment, the use of different research methodologies, and the ability to develop inter-disciplinary research plans. Candidates learn to develop a self-directed research plan, synthesize theory with practice, develop digital resources for online learning, and participate in international theatre research.
The Orientation Courses of performance studies postdoc provide important foundational skills, including scholarship writing, research ethical conduct, and critical analytical skills, for every candidate, so that all candidates have a clear, confident, and cohesive direction for their postdoctoral endeavour.
- Communication & Investigation (Comprehensive Resume)
- Organization Theory (Portfolio)
- Experiential Learning (Autobiography)
- Academic Evaluation (Questionnaire)
- Fundament of Knowledge (Integration Chart)
- Fundamental Principles I (Philosophy of Education)
- Professional Evaluation (Self Evaluation Matrix)
- Development of Graduate Study (Guarantee of an Academic Degree)
Research Projects : Postdoctoral in Theater
Within the Postdoctoral Program in Theatre (AIU), research projects represent the primary mechanism through which scholars will realise their potential for scholarly innovation. Scholar/candidates will conduct self-directed, advanced-level inquiries that are designed to enhance and promote the development of new ways of thinking about performance studies, as well as new perspectives on performance theory and practice within this developing field of study. In addition, research projects can explore a variety of approaches to research, including theoretical investigations, practice-based research, community-based research and intercultural research.
Research projects will be guided by the andragogic framework that AIU has developed, which will be used by scholars/candidates to create, develop and implement their research projects, reflecting the scholar’s professional and creative aspirations. Research projects on cultural performance will allow scholars to expand the boundaries of existing knowledge and connect various disciplines, and will also provide new insight to both stage production academic and artistic communities.
- Postdoctoral Dissertation Project
- MBM900 Postdoctoral Proposal
- MBM902 Postdoctoral Dissertation (15,000 words)
Publication – The Postdoc Program in Theatre is a significant aspect of the Postdoctoral Program’s Student Publishing Opportunities for the Scholars to present their research, creativity, and evaluation of works to broader Academic and Artistic Communities, through journals, conference presentations, digital media platforms and practice-based documentation. The program encourages students to share works that not only reflect academic excellence but also demonstrate forward thinking. The Andragogical Method at AIU aids each acting theory scholar in creating a personalized method of sharing their research path through individual publications. This is achieved by providing the necessary theater academic research foundation to voice their opinions, connect with the unlimited possibilities of the Global Discourse and contribute to the increased knowledge of the new fields of Theatre and Performance Studies.
Dissertation Defense
The dissertation presentation is the final step of the research journey for scholars in the Postdoctoral Program in Theater. Candidates use the presentation to describe the depth and originality of their work, as well as its importance. Candidates work within the flexible framework of AIU’s andragogical approach to create an environment that fosters exchange between theater academic research faculty evaluators and candidates.
The evaluations allow candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of theories, methods of conducting research, and their contributions to the combined study of theater and performance. Candidate projects may be academic, based on their practices, or a combination of both; regardless, the presentation serves as a critical reflection of the candidate and a space for intellectual discourse. Candidates will be recognized for their advanced contribution to the global dialogue on theater.
Postdoctoral in Theater Student Experience
The AI-Driven model of education in the postdoctoral theatre program shapes how students experience the program. Instead of taking a traditional path, each scholar will create an individualised research agenda to support their artistic identity, professional aspiration and the pursuit of intellectual curiosity. Scholars will be able to create a path for themselves by developing their ability to self-direct, think creatively and connect theory to practice. Through AIU’s flexible distance-learning style and Andragogy approach, postdoctoral fellowship in performing arts students will have a personalized experience that allows them to progress at their own speed, celebrate their point of view and develop authentic, innovative, and globally relevant work.
Community & Social
Community and social engagement is an integral component of the Postdoctoral Program in Theatre as it seeks to utilize the transformational power of Performance beyond academia and employment. Theatre can be used as a means of social dialogue, cultural exchange, and empowerment to address Identity, Inclusion, Social Justice and additional issues. Through Applied Projects, Collaborative Performances, and Outreach Initiatives, candidates will explore the impact of Theatre in various communities by developing participatory, socially conscious practices and learning about the process through the analysis of their theater postdoc engagement. The support offered by AIU’s Flexible Andragogy allows postdoctoral scholars to create community-focused initiatives that support their research and provide value to both neighbourhoods and internationally.
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Academic Resources
AIU offers an Academic Resource Center (ARC) with multiple forms of electronic media, literature, and other resources for both the advanced research and creative practice of theatre. The resources available include digital libraries, scholarly journals, performance archives, and both historical and contemporary databases. There are specific Practice-Pursuing-Research, Dramaturgy, and Performance Analysis Resources included in the ARC’s resources, which have been integrated into AIU’s Learning Management System (LMS), and therefore, students and distance learners will have complete access to these resources. Along with this, AIU provides mentorship from the Faculty and provides a virtual seminar series, collaborative forums, and resources to help students explore different ways of approaching their research and creating original productions, while providing critical engagement with the global exploration of theatre scholarship, and a resource-rich environment in which to learn.
Virtual Campus
Complete assignments online or offline at your convenience with 24/7 access to distance learning through AIU’s Virtual Campus. Step by Step guides including videos, tutorials, live webinars and examples for each course. All materials can be access on all web browsers as well as via AIU's Mobile App which brings all the features of the Virtual Camus to your Mobile Device.
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Graduation Ceremony
Each year AIU organizes graduation ceremonies where the students can assist and share their experiences with fellow students and academic members Participation in the ceremony is optional, the day’s events include conferences, research presentations, group meetings, networking, lunch and formal dinner.
Symposiums & Webinars
The Postdoctoral Program in Theatre’s Symposiums provide a stimulating opportunity for researchers to share their research and collaborate with others from around the world in an academic setting. This type of forum enables postdoctoral candidates, faculty members, and scholars from other disciplines to come together to examine current issues, trends, methods of working within Theatre and performing arts.
Live Classes
The Postdoctoral Theatre Studies Programme offers both structured, interactive learning through two formal live courses each day and the flexibility of third-party increasingly flexible modes of distance learning.
The two daily live interactive classes, each taking place at specified times on each day of the week, encourage students to actively participate in real-time discussions with their fellow students while also providing them with instant feedback regarding the direction of their work relating to research, performance practice and theoretical analysis.
The live interactive classes, in conjunction with self-directed study, foster collaborative learning and experiments between students and their professors as well as other students and will help bridge the gap between virtual and live environments for students to engage in immersive academic work. By offering students scheduled synchronous classes in conjunction with independent study, this model fosters engagement, motivation and involvement by remaining connected to their colleagues, both in terms of scholars and creative practitioners.
Special Projects, Research Publications, & Co-Authoring
The Postdoctoral Program in Theater promotes the development of unique projects, research papers, and collaborative writing experiences throughout the academic careers of participants. Each candidate is expected to complete an original project that utilizes both theoretical and applied methodologies to bring together experimental performance and interdisciplinary methods along with applied research methodologies dealing with theatre studies. Subsequently, many candidates publish their projects in journals, via digital media (internet), or in creative portfolios which can be viewed by others who are interested in the research conducted by the candidate post doc.
The collaborative writing activities conducted amongst faculty members including peer collaborations with fellow participants provide the opportunity for candidates to engage in collaborative inquiry, mentored development, and an expansive view of theatre and performance studies as a discipline. As a result of this synergistic combination of independent and collaborative scholarly activity conducted within this postdoctoral program, participants will produce final products (original high quality research) that make significant contributions to our global theatrical and performance communities.
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Career Center for Postdoctoral in Theater
AIU’s Career Centre provides its postdoctoral theatre scholars with invaluable support to help them to develop their professional lives in universities, performance, and the many facets of the Creative Industries. In addition to assisting with career counselling, mentor relationships, and job placement service, the Career Centre provides its students with access to numerous grants, fellowships, and entrepreneurial opportunities in the arts.
Through workshop opportunities, professional networking events, and opportunities for collaboration between industry and academic professionals, the Career Centre translates the scholarly research and theatre creative expertise of its candidates into rewarding career options. The Career Centre integrates the professional development of each postdoctoral theatre scholar into the Andragogical Model of flexible professional development; thus, the Career Centre enables each candidate to contribute significantly to the Global Theatre Environment as well as to continue to develop their own professional career path.
Job Description
Graduates of the Postdoctoral Theater program will have the knowledge and skills to take advantage of a variety of opportunities, as well as the ability to contribute to the development of new performance practices and the creation of new forms of creative expression. They will graduate with the capability to become theater researchers, dramaturges, performance scholars, artistic directors, stage directors, applied theater specialists, curators of cultural programs, designers of digital and immersive performance experiences, arts educators, leaders in arts management and cultural consultancy, initiators of community-based theater projects and interdisciplinary creative collaborations. Through solid academic work combined with practical and research-based experience, the program supports postdoctoral students in making contributions that are significant to the global theater community and our broader cultural discourse.
- Theater Researcher
- Post Doctoral Fellow, Performance Studies
- University Level Instructor/Professor, Theater & Performing Arts
- Curriculum Developer for Performing Arts Programming
- Consultant for Performing Arts Research
- Dramaturg/Script Analysts
- Director of Productions/Stage Directors
- Experimental Performance Artist/Practitioner of Experimental Theatre
- Devised Theatre Specialist
- Digital & Immersive Performance Designer
- Applied Theatre Specialist
- Community Theatre Coordinators
- Program Director for Arts Outreach Programs
- Social Impact Theatre Consultant
- Cultural Engagement Practitioners
- Artistic Director/Creative Director
- Theatre Operators/Managers/Administrators
- Cultural Program Curators
- Arts Policy Advisors/Consultants.
Tools for Postdoctoral in Theater
The Post Doctoral Theater Program supports researchers by providing them with access to numerous resources, including various forms of digital and research-based tools. These tools can assist the researcher with their advanced scholarship (which is a key component) and also practice performance documentation, textual assessment, and collaboration. Candidates use these tools to conduct a rigorous level of creative and cutting-edge research while fusing contemporary technology methods with the traditional study of theatre.
Associations for Postdoctoral in Theater Professionals
The postdoctoral program for theatre allows scholars to connect with important professional associations to enhance their research, networking, and career prospects. Membership provides access to conferences and journal articles, as well as collaborative projects and international communities of theatre artists and academic researchers. Through involvement with these associations, postdoctoral candidates can remain informed about timely issues affecting their field, experience an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas, and work to advance the field of theatre and performance studies around the world.
- International Theatre Institute (ITI)
- Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)
- World Theatre Training Institute AKT-ZENT
- International Federation for Theatre Research (IFTR)
- Society for Theatre Research (STR)
- Theatre Communications Group (TCG)
- European Theatre Convention (ETC)
- American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR)
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Postdoctoral in Theater Admission Requirements
The admission criteria to the Postdoctoral Program in Theatre at AIU will generally pertain to candidates who demonstrate significant research ability as well as proficiency in one of the areas of theatre performance study, theatre performances or other related subjects, or who are in other ways qualified to apply for admission to this program.
Candidates must either possess a doctorate (Ph.D.) or have equivalent experience associated with the area of the study, as well as a record of research achievements or other creative works that demonstrates the candidate’s suitability for postdoctoral study. Each applicant will be evaluated to determine their potential to successfully complete a postdoctoral level of education and to continue researching theatre studies in a manner which clearly aligns with AIU’s syllabus concerning an Andragogically and Distance Education Learning Model, where motivation and independent learning abilities, together with a promising view for their future research are critical for success of all postdoctoral candidates.
How Can You Apply?
To be considered a candidate for AIU’s Postdoctoral Program in Theatre, an applicant must submit a digital application containing a complete CV, a research proposal, and evidence of previous academic accomplishments in order to ascertain if the applicant has the qualifications to engage in research within that field, as well as the potential to be successful.
Prospective candidates must also provide recommendations from either an academic or a professional reference regarding their association with the prospective candidate, and provide a statement of purpose outlining the area(s) of study and future career goal(s) of the prospective candidate.
The Admissions Committee will evaluate this entire application package once the application is complete and may conduct an interview or other type of online meeting with prospective candidates to help determine eligibility and whether the prospective candidate’s research interests match the mission and values of the Theatre programme. Once prospective candidates receive offers of admission, they will then have to complete their enrolment process and access online academic resources at the institution before beginning their post-doctoral Programme.
Financial Support & Scholarships
There are opportunities for scholarship funding at AIU through a Theatre Department Scholarship at AIU that is financially board-based to support scholars in their advanced theatre research without a financial barrier to entry, and for the majority of scholarships are merit-based and can also be awarded by way of research grants or other funding sources. For postdoctoral study areas such as art and humanities, AIU offers a variety of external funding opportunities for theatre research/innovative performance study/publishing (i.e., fellowships from national and international organizations, sponsored projects, collaborative grant opportunities). Combining internal funding with external funding allows a scholar to focus on their research and creativity while receiving maximum benefit, allowing them to pursue their academic and professional goals.
How Much Does a Postdoctoral in Theater Cost Per Year?
AIU’s Postdoctoral Program in Theatre allows doctoral candidates from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to participate in a cost-effective program. The programmatic structure will include a variety of tuition options for prospective participants and allow candidates to select payment options based on what’s best for their financial situations so they may pay on an agreed-upon schedule (monthly or quarterly) instead of making one lump payment.
All of these structure options give candidates the opportunity to engage in advanced research, pursue creative practices within the Theatre discipline and professionally advance themselves without financial concerns. To enable the postdoctoral educator (scholar) to engage in research and creative growth free from financial pressures, AIU offers affordable tuition options, flexible schedules, and the convenience of taking courses from home.
FAQs
What is a postdoctoral program in theater?
Theatre is a creative field that encourages researchers (those with PhD’s) to create and use innovative technologies and approaches in conjunction with their research in theatre and performance studies. A postdoctoral program allows researchers to research an area of expertise while developing their craft and adding value through their research-based work to the overall advancement of theatre and performance studies as a whole.
What qualifications are required for a theater postdoc?
A doctorate in Theater or any relevant degree is a must.
What research areas can I focus on in a theater postdoc?
While enrolled in a postdoctoral program in a Theater Department, you will be able to pursue research related to Performance Studies; Dramaturgy; Directing; Cultural/Intercultural Theatre; Digital/Immersive Performances; Applied/Community Theatre; Theatre Pedagogy; Arts Management; and Interdisciplinary/Practice as Research Projects.
How long does a postdoctoral fellowship in theater last?
Minimum 3 years.
