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  • 1.  Professional Development/Training

    Posted 04-27-2015 01:55

    Hi everyone, 

    I am a new drama teacher this year...just received my credential! I want to continue developing and growing as a theatre teacher. What do you recommend for professional development or training opportunities? Also, are there any theatre/acting/directing/etc. certifications you'd recommend receiving?

     Thank you so much!

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    Ashley 
    Sacramento, California

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  • 2.  RE: Professional Development/Training

    Posted 04-27-2015 11:14

    I've found that PD by district tends to be lacking, simply because there are only 30 of us (and we're a large district). It is worth checking out Drama Teacher Academy; I think it's about $37 a month and gives you access to some excellent classes (Classroom Management for the Drama classroom, Teaching Mask, Shakespeare, Copyright laws, voice/projection, all sorts). The only issue I had was a lack of my own time, but whilst I was subscribed to it I made a bunch of time available to sit through and take copious notes and incorporate many things that I learned into my own practice.

    There are many summer intensives offered at various locations. Being in California, you might want to check out the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (I think I named it right), Larry Silverberg does a summer intensive on Meisner technique, and I'm sure there are other options.

    In Florida, we have the FATE conference (FATE being the Florida theatre teachers association) that offers good continuing education on various subjects. The last one I went to I attended great classes by Larry Silverberg, classes on costume shop management, makeup for beginners (not application, but the arrangement and setting up of a good make-up program or system within your theatre program), and other stuff.

    Of course, there's also the EdTA's National Conference coming up in October, this year in sunny St Petersburg at the Tradewinds resort. Some excellent Professional Development Intensives (a full day of exploration/study, various subjects offered) as well as the 90 minute sessions throughout the conference. Can't wait to see what classes are being offered!

    Teaching Theatre, the magazine, is also a good resource and has many other ideas for continuing/augmenting one's education. The trouble I'm having is deciding whether I want to do a second masters (in technical theatre) or a PhD in some theatre related field. So many options, so little time and money to make use of!

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    Phillip Goodchild
    Ruskin FL
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  • 3.  RE: Professional Development/Training

    Posted 04-27-2015 11:23
    Phillip pretty much hit my suggestions. Hopefully we'll see you in October. :)

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    Shira Schwartz
    Chandler Unified School District
    Chandler AZ
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  • 4.  RE: Professional Development/Training

    Posted 04-28-2015 06:55
    Edited by John Perry 04-28-2015 06:55

    Check with your state or local English Speaking Union branch (http://www.esuus.org/esu/branches/).  They offer BUSS scholarships each year and you can receive a scholarship to study 3 weeks at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London. The Kentucky Branch covers all expenses for the trip and "require" the scholarship winner to go one week early so that they can become acclimated to London. Such a sacrifice! LOL  

    I received a BUSS/Globe Scholarship and it was a life-changing experience.

    Also you might check the Dell'Arte School of Physical Theatre. They have great summer offerings.

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    John Perry
    Drama Instructor
    Atherton High School
    Louisville KY
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  • 5.  RE: Professional Development/Training

    Posted 04-28-2015 11:30
    I invite all (not just Californians, is that a term?) to check out our tri-theatre education website: www.cetoweb.org. One of the more proactive moves was to create CETOWEB.ORG. That way anyone who googles Theatre Education in CA is directed to the website. We off PDIs at all of our CA educational Theatre associations events, along with summer Theatre Teachers Bootcamp, 2 days of intensive sharing, program development. Feel free to contact me. ------------------------------ Gai Jones Ojai CA ------------------------------
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  • 6.  RE: Professional Development/Training

    Posted 04-29-2015 12:41
    Ashley: Check out the Tennessee Arts Academy/Arts Academy America site at http://tennesseeartsacademy.org. The theatre sessions last a full week. You will rotate daily among the three nationally recognized instructors brought in especially for these classes. This year there is a directing workshop (Chad Larabee from University of Albany-SUNY) , an improvisation workshop (Andrew McMasters from Jet City Improv in Seattle), and a Second Circle voice/movement workshop (Marlene Johnson - University of Alabama). Over 20 short mini-workshops are offered daily as well as performances, speakers and special events. Broadway actor and singer Aaron Lazar will both perform and speak during the sessions. Almost all the meals are included in the registration price ($395) and housing is available on the Belmont University campus, where the Academy is held.

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    E. Frank Bluestein
    Germantown TN
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  • 7.  RE: Professional Development/Training

    Posted 05-03-2015 09:57

    Ashley it depends on what you mean by develop. PD does seem to be lacking in most districts, I would look into GT (Gifted and Talented) and ESL (English as Second Language) I have found both very helpful, since I tend to have many GT and ESL students. I have heard many districts are requiring both of these in Texas.

    Look for programs that will help supplement what you feel you are lacking. I did a search for summer intensive programs for a MA in theatre education and found some focus more on acting or the technical side. I decided on the University of Houston theatre education program, for a couple of reasons. I start the end of June (yea Me! Go Cougars!)

    Here in Texas we have TeTA http://www.tetatx.com/ they offer two workshops a year, one over the summer. I love the workshops and the networking. We receive PD hours for attending.

    Not sure how large your State Thespian Festival is but here in Texas we have three days of workshops, and we receive PD hours for attending.

     

    Hope this helps.



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    Greg Alldredge
    Tech Theater Teacher
    Cypress Fairbanks ISD
    Cypress TX
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