Promotion with Tenure from Assistant to Associate Professor
Devised Work
Devising is a process of (co-)creation and discovery that prioritizes generative artists, which may include but does not prioritize playwrights, is iterative, and results in original work. It may involve multiple additional disciplines that have separate evaluation guidelines including directing, performance, and/or design. Devised work is created and performed in a range of
venues. Usually, work is created in and for smaller venues, but may also be performed in larger theaters, non-traditional spaces, and site-specific locations. Also, devising usually requires the artist to take on multiple roles. It’s clear that, in the majority of cases, devising requires a longer developmental process than, for example, rehearsing and performing a pre-written text. For these reasons, 4 projects in the pre-tenure period are sufficient for fulfilling the creative/professional requirement for tenure. The candidate will have three options toward arriving at this total of 4 projects:
- Creating 4 devised projects
- Creating 3 devised projects and 1 acting or directing project
- Creating 2 devised projects and a total of 2 acting and/or directing projects
All non-devising projects included by the candidate for consideration must meet the standards for acting and/or directing as spelled out in their respective categories of the Performing Arts Tenure and Promotion Standards.
For the work to be defined as devised, the artist has to assume at least two generative roles: writer/creator of the work, and either director, actor, and/or designer. Additional specifications for devising include:
- Given the nature of devising, the venues can be consistent with the candidate’s creative research trajectory –i.e. fringe or mid-sized, and/or large professional venues. These can include union or independent, non-union venues.
- These projects can be self-produced or produced in conjunction with a known organization or company.
- If the work is community-based, 4 projects that provide evidence of their artistic merit and engagement with - and significant impact on - the community, as demonstrated by civic and artistic leaders, community partners, and collaborators, provided they meet the standards for Applied Theater and/or Community-Engaged Practice as spelled out in the Performing Arts Tenure Standards.
- A combination of Community-based and self-produced/produced work would similarly call for 4 productions.
- Production work should have evidence of review by local, national or on-line media, where applicable.
In cases where - due to the experimental nature of the work - media is limited or unavailable, peer reviews of devised work are acceptable from expert professionals in the field.
Devising excellence may also be documented through the following supplemental evidence:
- Appearances on and off campus as a speaker or panelist or otherwise participating in the meetings or activities of regionally, nationally or internationally recognized professional organizations.
- Official selection and performance in highly-regarded festivals.
- Invitation and performance of work in selective professional presenting venues.
- Prizes, awards, artistic residencies, fellowships, competitive project grants, or other recognitions.
- Publication of written work such as books, articles, reviews, director’s notes, or cybertexts.
- Published criticism and scholarship about productions directed by the candidate.