Theatre: Secondary Theatre Education

Candidates interested in passing on their love of theatre to future generations will find that the secondary theatre education option offers practical and theoretical training for teachers. As one of a few programs in the country, UNH's Secondary Theatre Education option boasts a robust offering with six courses specifically focused on how to teach theatre. Through comprehensive course and laboratory work, students obtain hands-on theatre teaching experience, so that by the time they reach graduation, they have spent significant hours working with the K-12 age group. Students are provided with extensive training and practical teaching experience specifically geared towards the goal of being a theatre teacher, either in a traditional classroom or as a teaching artist. As you complete your studies, you will have the option to enter theatre education directly as a teaching artist at professional theatres, you could plan from your first year to pursue NH Theatre Arts K-12 teacher undergraduate certification, or you could pursue a fifth-year master's in teaching program through the UNH Education Department.  A master's degree can raise your salary significantly when entering the workforce. Whether pursuing the fifth year graduate certification program or entering the professional theatre education world directly after the undergraduate degree, students can expect to leave UNH prepared for the rigorous task of teaching.

Contact Raina Ames, Paul Creative Arts Center, (603) 862-3044.

Core Student Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre major: On completion of the B.A. in Theatre, students will:

• Recognize and distinguish between various styles and forms of theatre or dance that have shaped the evolution of these disciplines.
• Effectively communicate artistic ideas and/or critical analysis of theatre or dance works through appropriate oral, written or practical means.
• Demonstrate knowledge and fundamental skill level of the basic areas of theatre or dance production in areas related to performance, design, technology or management.
• Create and demonstrate informed and personal artistic choices in coursework and productions (i.e., design, dance, directing, acting).

Additional Student Learning Outcomes for Option in Secondary Theatre Education: In addition to the shared department learning outcomes for all THDA students, upon completion of the major with an Option in Secondary Theatre Education, students will:

• Develop and compile effective lesson plans and teaching materials appropriate to student developmental levels and individual learning styles.
• Define a personal teaching philosophy.
• Demonstrate effective teaching strategies.
• Evaluate teaching abilities through analysis and reflection.
• Develop directing and production skills.
• Match to teaching materials the appropriate national educational standards for arts and non-arts subjects.

Secondary and/or university transcript(s) of any coursework taken prior to applying to UNH, with English translations, are required. International documents received by UNH Admissions are verified, scanned, and confidentially destroyed. Official documents submitted will not be returned to the student.

Ideally, the letter should be from a student's school counselor or teacher. UNH does not require more than one recommendation and our preference is to receive no more than two. Excess recommendations may delay the admissions review process.