A drama teacher educates students on theater, stage presence, and acting, and may lead entire theater departments. Drama education involves practical and theoretical elements, improving confidence and public speaking. The teacher may also plan and direct school theater productions and teach theater education.
A drama teacher educates students of various grades or skill levels about theater, stage presence and acting. The job can encompass a number of different things, depending on the circumstances. In most schools, drama education involves a combination of practical skills such as public speaking and stage presence, as well as theoretical elements such as the difference between genres, from comedy and tragedy to farce. Some drama professors also head up entire theater departments and as such are often responsible for directing student productions and helping with all elements of the showing. Like most teachers, this person’s main focus is on educating students, but there may be many extracurricular commitments that could also be included in the job description. These are sometimes compensated with additional payment, but not always.
Drama Education Generally
Theater and the performing arts are an important part of the school-age curriculum in most parts of the world. While drama is not always as immediately useful as science, math, or language, education specialists generally think of theater and other fine arts as an important element in any comprehensive education.
There is not always a fixed curriculum for drama education; much is generally left to school districts and educators. There can be a lot of variation from place to place when it comes to what the job actually entails, although the core elements are generally the same everywhere. In general, a drama teacher educates students about performing in theater, as well as all the other aspects involved in producing a show. Classes can revolve around scenography and construction, costumes, stage makeup, theater history, directing, dancing, singing and diction.
These educators also help students improve confidence, public speaking, and self-expression. They can also help plan school theater productions and will often help students audition for and perform in those productions, as well as more advanced programs they may participate in in the future. There are often multiple parallels between theater or drama teachers and athletic coaches, both in terms of their role in fostering natural talents in students and in teaching a specific skill that takes root outside the physical classroom.
Typical exercises and assignments
In a typical drama class, the instructor might start by having the students practice some stretching or warm-up exercises, as well as speaking exercises. These types of exercises usually involve speaking exercises and “tongue twisters” designed to prepare the lips, tongue and teeth for proper enunciation. Pantomime games, which help assess body language, can also be used, as well as improvisation games, in which students must rely on characterization rather than memorized lines to dictate their next actions on stage. The instructor will usually have students work individually on monologues, which are scenes with only one speaker. He or she can also have the class rehearse set scenes that require interaction between multiple characters.
Learning about the theater
Theater education is also usually part of this teacher’s responsibilities. Much of the analysis of plays as literature is left to language arts teachers, but drama students often read scripts or famous scripts as a basis for discussions and practical applications. Teachers also often discuss some of the different theater genres with students and help them identify some of the main trends in each.
staging of productions
Many schools have only one drama teacher, so the educator is expected to create and manage an entire drama department. These responsibilities may include evaluating students for appropriate placement in the class, selecting a play for which any member of the student body can audition, holding auditions, defining play roles, and scheduling rehearsals and after-school performances.
Even in staffed departments, the school’s theater production often falls to one or more professors. Once rehearsals begin, the teacher may also be responsible for finding students or other teachers to help with things like stage management, lighting, costumes, music, props, and set design and construction. Before the presentation opens, the teacher may also need to plan for publicity and ticket sales.
Different Locations
Theater and drama teachers can work in a variety of locations, including public or private elementary, middle, or high schools, as well as colleges and universities. Opportunities available generally depend on current demand in the job market and the teacher’s education and experience. Almost all situations require the instructor to have at least a bachelor’s degree, and some require a master’s degree.
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