I would recommend you take as many tech classes as you can, in addition to the required classes. Being able to build a strong tech program at your school can do a number of things:
1. Adding tech theatre classes will attract students who need a Fine Arts credit, but are averse to getting up in front of people, like in music (vocal and instrumental) acting. Tech class also appeal to people who are afraid they "can't draw" in visual arts classes. My school of 1,600 students supported 9 semester section of tech theatre classes.
2. Production values will get better. With tech classes helping in with the basic set construction (building flats, platforms, stair units, base coating, etc), that will free up the more experienced extra-curricular students to trim out and dress the set.
3. After school participation can grow from students who get a taste of tech, and like it. It became a very cool thing to do at my school, and I eventually had an w\average of 80-100 students sign up for crew work almost every show. We had to add a touring children's show to break in the newer students. These crew heads were more experienced techs, and were very proud of their positions training the newbies.
4. Better production values raised the bar for everything, and better shows built more parental and administrative support. We actually had the parents change the structure of the Band Boosters to make ithe t Fine Arts Booster Club.
5. The tech program gave kinesthetic learners a place to excel. Students who hated school found a niche, and newfound respect from the rest of the casts and crews.
6. Be sure to include academic sections in the tech classes. Script analysis, lighting and set design units, and a theatre history unit geared towards the history of theatrical staging conventions.
7. Use cross curricular input wherever possible.
I used to team-teach the "color in light" section with the physics teacher.
The advanced desktop publishing teacher broke the class into 5 groups, and provided them with the raw materials for the program. They then competed to see who could lay out the program, and then combine their ideas. They all got free tickets to the show.
When we did The Wizard of Oz, the Metals class made the Tin Woodsman's costume.
When doing period plays, team up with the appropriate Social Studies classes for a team teaching unit on the time period of the play. Also, try to do a play in the Communication Skills Department's curriculum as often as possible. Mice and Men. Shakespeare. Anything in their curriculum.
If you would like a handout I use in my workshops about Building Your Tech Theatre Program, please let me know, and I can send it to you. Just let me know where to send it as an attachment.
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Bob Fowler
Co-Developer
Interactive Educational Video, LLC
Chesterfield MO
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-26-2015 17:59
From: Rob Duval
Subject: Undergraduate Tips and Tricks for Theatre Education Majors
Dear Matthew,
First, let me congratulate you for knowing what you want to do as a career. I've been teaching Theatre for 16 years now and I can think of nothing more rewarding (except maybe parenting). As an educator, you will have the power to change students' lives. With that power comes great responsibility. My best advice is be a role model for your students. Students will learn from your Theatre knowledge, but more than that, they will learn to be good people. Very few of my students have gone into performing arts as a career, but they have all developed an appreciation for Theatre as an art form. They have learned discipline because I have tried my best to not only teach them discipline, but show them discipline. When I am involved in a production outside of school, I still come to school everyday, on time, and ready to work.
Keep records (or basic notes) of your assignments, exercises, games, etc. I still play games with my students that I learned 35 years ago. Keep what works.
Challenge yourself to be better than your teachers and challenge your students to be better than you. One of my college professors once said, "I don't want you to be as good a teacher as I am. I want you to be better." What does "better" mean? It could mean more prepared, more involved, more inspiring, etc. Take an interest in the lives of your students, without overstepping the student/teacher relationship. Most of my students become my friends once they graduate, but none of them are my friends while they are still my students.
Best wishes,
Rob
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Rob Duval
Theatre Teacher/Director
'Iolani School
Kaneohe HI
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-25-2015 23:07
From: Matthew Denney
Subject: Undergraduate Tips and Tricks for Theatre Education Majors
Hello everyone, I am currently an undergraduate Secondary Education Major with and emphasis in Theatre at the University of Nevada, Reno. I am also an EdTA Pre-Professional Member. I am constantly looking to learn more new and exciting things before I get my degree and go into into the profession of Theatre Education. So, I want to ask all of you, what is one piece of advice you could give a student before they graduate and become a Theatre Educator?
Thanks!
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Matthew Denney
Reno, NV
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