Anyone interested in teaching elementary-aged students would benefit from the youth drama option. Consider pairing this with family studies or early childhood education. Youth drama is for those students who wish to use dramatic arts as a teaching tool, either in the elementary classroom or as a teaching artist. Our comprehensive curriculum is specifically designed to train teachers to use storytelling and creative drama to enrich the classroom. Work with our master puppeteer to take Introduction to Puppetry as well as Advanced Puppetry. Through comprehensive class and laboratory work, students obtain hands-on theatrical teaching experience so that, by the time they reach graduation, they have spent significant hours teaching children. This program will give you hands-on teaching experience and the option to pursue a fifth-year master's degree in elementary teaching through the UNH Education Department. Whether pursuing the fifth year graduate certification program or entering the professional theatre education world directly after the undergraduate degree, students will leave UNH with sound theoretical training in addition to practical instruction on how to use drama to enhance learning outcomes, address classroom discipline issues and, of course, bring the arts to life in the classroom.
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 Youth Drama: In addition to the shared department learning outcomes for all THDA students, upon completion of the major with an Option in Youth Drama, 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 and established skills as a group leader in dramatic activities.
- Evaluate teaching abilities through analysis and reflection.
- Demonstrate technical skills in storytelling and puppetry performance techniques.
- Match to teaching materials the appropriate national educational standards for arts and non-arts subjects.
