2 answers
Asphalt
Student
1
Question
Asked
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What should i focus on to help me be a theatre teacher?
I want to teach specifically in the theatre arts because it's something i have years of study in and i want to know what steps will put me in the right direction
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2 answers
Jennifer Jackson
Film Director
62
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Asphalt,
To pursue a career as a theatre teacher, focus on the following steps to set yourself in the right direction:
1. Education and Certification: Obtain a degree in theatre arts or a related field. Consider pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Theatre Education or Fine Arts with a focus on education. Additionally, acquiring teaching certification or licensure is essential for pursuing a career as a theatre teacher.
2. Gain Teaching Experience: Seek opportunities to gain teaching experience, such as working as a teaching assistant, volunteering with youth theatre programs, or leading drama workshops. This experience can be invaluable in preparing you for a career in theatre education.
3. Professional Development: Participate in workshops, seminars, and training programs related to theatre education. Stay updated on teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and best practices in arts education.
4. Network with Theatre Educators: Build connections with experienced theatre educators and professionals in the field. Networking can provide mentorship opportunities, valuable insights, and potential job leads.
5. Create a Portfolio: Compile a portfolio showcasing your experience, lesson plans, and student productions. A strong portfolio can demonstrate your teaching abilities and creative contributions to the theatre arts.
6. Pursue Advanced Degrees: Consider obtaining a Master's degree in Theatre Education or a related field to further enhance your expertise and qualifications as a theatre educator.
7. Stay Engaged in the Arts Community: Remain involved in the theatre community by attending performances, collaborating with local theatres, and staying informed about current trends and developments in the field.
By focusing on these steps, you can pave the way for a rewarding career as a theatre teacher, utilizing the wealth of knowledge and passion you have cultivated through years of study in the theatre arts.
Best of luck!
Jennifer
To pursue a career as a theatre teacher, focus on the following steps to set yourself in the right direction:
1. Education and Certification: Obtain a degree in theatre arts or a related field. Consider pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Theatre Education or Fine Arts with a focus on education. Additionally, acquiring teaching certification or licensure is essential for pursuing a career as a theatre teacher.
2. Gain Teaching Experience: Seek opportunities to gain teaching experience, such as working as a teaching assistant, volunteering with youth theatre programs, or leading drama workshops. This experience can be invaluable in preparing you for a career in theatre education.
3. Professional Development: Participate in workshops, seminars, and training programs related to theatre education. Stay updated on teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and best practices in arts education.
4. Network with Theatre Educators: Build connections with experienced theatre educators and professionals in the field. Networking can provide mentorship opportunities, valuable insights, and potential job leads.
5. Create a Portfolio: Compile a portfolio showcasing your experience, lesson plans, and student productions. A strong portfolio can demonstrate your teaching abilities and creative contributions to the theatre arts.
6. Pursue Advanced Degrees: Consider obtaining a Master's degree in Theatre Education or a related field to further enhance your expertise and qualifications as a theatre educator.
7. Stay Engaged in the Arts Community: Remain involved in the theatre community by attending performances, collaborating with local theatres, and staying informed about current trends and developments in the field.
By focusing on these steps, you can pave the way for a rewarding career as a theatre teacher, utilizing the wealth of knowledge and passion you have cultivated through years of study in the theatre arts.
Best of luck!
Jennifer
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
Asphalt
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1257
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Asphalt !
You have such a fabulous career choice and I would be very happy to give some advice about becoming a theatre teacher. The education part would be to decide if you want to teach in high school or college. You would need a Masters Degree to teach there. I would suggest the best preparation would be the academic path of a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Education and a Masters Degree in Education. Decide which is your strong forte: acting, set construction, lighting, costuming, stage make up, set design, directing, playwriting, etc.
After you obtain your Masters Degree in Education, you would need to obtain a teaching credential. Keep in mind that all of the acting teachers I have ever had in college or in the community have been seasoned professionals with a lot of acting and theatre, film and television experience. This is why I next advise that you spend some time working in professional level theatre or film, acting or working in whatever aspect of theatre you want to focus your teaching on. That certainly doesn't mean that you couldn't be teaching at the same time.
While you are working on your education and your experience, you can (if it's acting that you want to teach) find a theatre or venue in your community that will have you as an acting teacher. This means that you would be freelancing. (I will use acting for the sake of not knowing what your forte would be). You can also offer your services freelancing as an Acting Coach. This would be nice income for you. Be double sure to take Theatre Promotions and Management during your undergraduate study as everything you learn in that class will greatly be used if you want to teach. Another thing that you can do to demonstrate to future employers for teaching jobs is create a channel on You Tube and make videos of, let's say acting, presentations about theatre and acting. You can do all of this while working in theatre getting your experience. You will want years of experience because most of the teachers I had in college had extensive experience so there's even competition on the academia level for this type of work.
Also think about becoming a Resume Writer for actors if it is acting that you want to teach.
You probably don't want to wait to teach and that is why I suggest becoming a freelance acting (or whatever) teacher or coach or offer workshops in the community. This way, you can get a head start on teaching. I found an informative article containing some things you should know and I have provided the link below. I also found a list of personality qualities that are required to succeed as a student or professional in theatre and I have left the link for you below.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best moving forward !
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO TEACH THEATRE https://dramatics.org/so-you-want-to-teach-theatre/
LICENSURE TO BECOME A THEATRE TEACHER https://www.topeducationdegrees.org/faq/how-do-i-become-a-theater-teacher/
25 SKILLS, TRAITS AND QUALITIES OF THEATRE STUDENTS https://theatreanddance.appstate.edu/students/prospective-students/25-life-skills-learned-theatre
You have such a fabulous career choice and I would be very happy to give some advice about becoming a theatre teacher. The education part would be to decide if you want to teach in high school or college. You would need a Masters Degree to teach there. I would suggest the best preparation would be the academic path of a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Education and a Masters Degree in Education. Decide which is your strong forte: acting, set construction, lighting, costuming, stage make up, set design, directing, playwriting, etc.
After you obtain your Masters Degree in Education, you would need to obtain a teaching credential. Keep in mind that all of the acting teachers I have ever had in college or in the community have been seasoned professionals with a lot of acting and theatre, film and television experience. This is why I next advise that you spend some time working in professional level theatre or film, acting or working in whatever aspect of theatre you want to focus your teaching on. That certainly doesn't mean that you couldn't be teaching at the same time.
While you are working on your education and your experience, you can (if it's acting that you want to teach) find a theatre or venue in your community that will have you as an acting teacher. This means that you would be freelancing. (I will use acting for the sake of not knowing what your forte would be). You can also offer your services freelancing as an Acting Coach. This would be nice income for you. Be double sure to take Theatre Promotions and Management during your undergraduate study as everything you learn in that class will greatly be used if you want to teach. Another thing that you can do to demonstrate to future employers for teaching jobs is create a channel on You Tube and make videos of, let's say acting, presentations about theatre and acting. You can do all of this while working in theatre getting your experience. You will want years of experience because most of the teachers I had in college had extensive experience so there's even competition on the academia level for this type of work.
Also think about becoming a Resume Writer for actors if it is acting that you want to teach.
You probably don't want to wait to teach and that is why I suggest becoming a freelance acting (or whatever) teacher or coach or offer workshops in the community. This way, you can get a head start on teaching. I found an informative article containing some things you should know and I have provided the link below. I also found a list of personality qualities that are required to succeed as a student or professional in theatre and I have left the link for you below.
I hope that this is helpful and I wish you all the best moving forward !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for the advice, Michelle.
Asphalt
You are very welcome, Asphalt !
Michelle M.