Abstract
This article explores the use of part-time and temporary professional artists as essential instructional and creative resources in university theatre programs. Framing the issue within the constraints of aging faculty, reduced hiring opportunities, and limited institutional resources, the discussion argues for rethinking traditional employment structures to accommodate the cyclical and collaborative nature of theatre production. The author proposes an “organic” model in which temporary artist-teachers contribute to the life cycle of performance—design, rehearsal, and production—while maintaining professional practice. This integration is presented not as exploitation but as mutually beneficial exchange, offering flexibility and renewal for academic programs and employment for working professionals. The article emphasizes adherence to union wage standards and professional guidelines to prevent abuse and ensure equitable compensation. It concludes that temporary appointments, when properly structured, can revitalize theatre curricula, strengthen connections between academia and the profession, and align educational practice with the living rhythms of theatrical art.
Recommended Citation
Milly, Milly S.
(1987)
"The Theatre Professional as Temporary Faculty Resource,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 59, Article 25.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol59/iss1/25
