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Abstract

This article examines the increasing reliance on part-time and temporary faculty in university theatre programs and identifies the pedagogical, artistic, and administrative implications of their use. It argues that part-time and temporary faculty fulfill three primary functions: they introduce new ideas and creative approaches into established departments; they maintain vital links between academic and professional theatre; and they provide specialized expertise that complements permanent faculty strengths. The discussion distinguishes theatre from other disciplines whose centers of innovation are academic, emphasizing that the creative core of theatre remains in professional practice. Accordingly, guest artists, designers, and actors serve as essential conduits for professional standards and contemporary techniques. The article also outlines administrative strategies for employing temporary faculty effectively, including rotating appointments, short-term workshops, honorarium-based residencies, and faculty exchanges. These approaches are presented as cost-effective mechanisms for curricular enrichment and faculty renewal. The study concludes that temporary faculty should be treated as valued contributors whose selective and strategic use enhances both artistic and educational outcomes in academic theatre.

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