Department of Theatre and Dance
MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING PROGRAM


The Department of Theatre, speech, and Dance offers a Master of Arts in Teaching degree to prepare the Professional Educator.

This degree program is based on the philosophy that live theatre is one of the most important ingredients in an open, well-integrated, thoughtful society. The power of live theatre can change people’s minds as well as their lives, and our students who become teachers are trained to use theatre as a tool for improving our world.

Each student who graduates from our program will demonstrate competencies expected of a Professional Educator:

1. Each student will comprehend fully the role of theatre as a vital force in our society. This knowledge includes theatre appreciated on purely aesthetic and artistic planes as well as theatre appreciated as a tool of pedagogy and propaganda.

2. Each student will understand the history of theatre in both the Western and non- Western worlds, including the evolution of theatre practices, the role of theatre in diverse cultures, and the cannon of dramatic literature stretching from the ancient Greeks to current experiments in performance art and other non-literary forms.

3. Each student will demonstrate proficiency in the craft of acting, and in the ability to train and coach others in acting. Emphasis is on the training of the actor’s body and voice.

4. Each student will demonstrate proficiency in the craft of directing, including script selection, script analysis, theatric conceptualization, rehearsal and production scheduling, communication with designers, casting, blocking, and leading a production to a successful finish.

5. Each student will perform the basic duties of a theatre business manager in an apprentice situation. Thee duties include staffing and running a box office; the promotion and publicizing of productions; fund raising and development within a school system; and basic accounting procedures.

6. Each student will be able to perform and instruct others to perform the function of Stage Manager, including setting up rehearsal spaces; running rehearsals; keeping a prompt script; writing and calling cues; and running a production.

7. Each student will be able to design and build a set; design and build costumes; design and build properties; design and execute lighting and special effects; record and produce sound; design and execute make-up; and oversee all aspects of theatre production, including the budgeting of stock, time, money, and people power.

8. Each student will be conversant with several critical models for the effective evaluation of theatre productions.

9. Each student will practice and master the special pedagogical techniques necessary for the effective teaching of theatre and all its aspects.

10. Each student will understand the power of live theatre and its place in our schools, including the relationship between school theatre and the community; parents and the school theatre program; legal, ethical, and social issues involving theatre in schools; the effect of theatre instruction on student performance across the curriculum; and the necessity of expanding theatre experiences for all students.

12. Each student will participate in experiences designed to familiarize them with key elements of classroom operations such as planning, management, instructional techniques, communication, and the effects of teacher attitude on classroom climate.

All graduate students are urged to read "Academic Regulations" in the graduate Bulletin.