<p>Does anyone know good directing or theatre education undergrad programs? I currently want to teach at a university or high school level.</p>
<p>I know Emerson and Evansville have Theatre Ed undergrads. Can anyone shed some light on these programs?</p>
<p>I'm familiar with some directing programs- Fordham, CMU, UNCSA- but I definitely don't want a program that's too intense, like CMU's. I don't feel I need to have "tough love" instruction since I'm not trying to act or work in NYC.</p>
<p>University of the Arts in Philadelphia has a BFA Directing, Playwriting, Production program</p>
<p>Boston University has what’s called a BFA Theatre Arts major where you either start in your typical Acting or Design conservatory your first year, but then get freedom to take courses in Directing/Playwriting/Education/etc later on</p>
<p>dePaul has an undergrad directing program to my knowledge</p>
<p>some BA programs might be good for you too, such as Northwestern, Muhlenberg, Southern Oregon University, where you choose directing as a concentration</p>
<p>Hi faithzilla!</p>
<p>I recently was accepted into the Emerson undergrad theatre ed/acting program, and know an alumni as well as a student who just transferred to the program. </p>
<p>The program seems to push out successful young people - the alumni I know has been able to find work in just the two years since he’s graduated, in both teaching, high school directing, and producing. He is applying for a masters in directing at a few top-notch schools, and is certainly well prepared to do so. Emerson itself lends a lot of room for directing experience as well - there are many student organizations, such as Mercutio (which focuses on students directing, producing, sming, etc), Shakespeare Society, Kidding Around, and Rareworks that often have student directors. I’m not as clear on the straight theatre ed program (though I do know an alumni from it as well - though he’s never been much of a teacher type, and now is a technical director for both high schools and semi-pro organizations.) but it focuses a lot on theory, and works on getting you certified as well as getting you solid student teacher experience. One thing I can say of Emerson is that it will get you incredibly solid connections - often one gets jobs or internships from other Emerson alumni. </p>
<p>It was 100% my first choice, as well as two of my peers who also want to be theatre teachers. I can’t say much of the Evansville program (I’m from the northeast, and Emerson is all the talk at my high school), though I know many of the people I auditioned with for theatre ed/acting were between Emerson and Evansville. </p>
<p>Feel free to PM me with any more questions about Emerson - I see the alum nearly every day and I’m more than willing to ask him questions. :)</p>
<p>Oh - and I’d just like to point out that the Emerson Theatre Studies BA allows you to choose multiple concentrations, and many of its students choose directing - it seems to be a strong program though I can’t say much of it.</p>
<p>At the public school HS level most states require a teacher to be certified. Private schools generally do not require this. I taught theatre at a private HS without being certified. </p>
<p>At the college level you would need an advanced “terminal” degree… Generally an MFA or Phd. You do not need an undergraduate or graduate degree in Theatre Education to teach at the college level. Generally, you would obtain a graduate degree in the area you want to teach… Ex. MFA in acting teaching acting. Most college teachers also have extensive professional experience in the areas they teach, and/ or they are published theatre scholars.</p>
<p>Great suggestions of schools to look at above. Shenandoah Conservatory has a degree in Theatre for Young Audiences. James Madison is starting a teacher licensure program in Theatre. UNC-Greensboro has graduate programs in Theatre for Youth, not sure about at the undergraduate level.</p>
<p>SUNY Potsdam has an undergraduate in Theatre Education if I recall. And I have a friend who just got accepted to NYU’s Masters program for Theatre Education :)</p>
<p>Does anyone know of ANY university that offers an MFA/Directing emphasis that DOESN’T actively & blatantly engage in age-based discrimination? I will NEVER attend or recommend URTA interviews for this precise reason.</p>
<p>What’s the difference between Emerson’s “Theatre Education-Acting” and “Theatre Education” programs? I haven’t found anything on the website, but the application and audition requirements are different (“Acting” auditions, the other does not).</p>
<p>I believe the Theatre Education-Acting program includes the basic “core” acting classes that Theatre Studies/Acting kids also take - acting I & II, some scene classes, while the straight Theatre Ed program does not. I’m afraid I’m unaware if there are other classes you take in place of those acting classes, or simply more space for other classes/interests. I know Theatre ed/Acting is considered a major and minor/double major, so I believe Theatre Ed just frees up time and would allow for a double major, etc.</p>
<p>DePaul does not have a Directing BFA but their BFA in Theater Arts is actually a directing program. Although students sample other theater subject areas, they cannot act in mainstage productions nor do they get production assignments for those shows. Instead, they work as assistant directors. They also get many opportunities to intern in the Chicago area. However, the school is not known for its academics and I doubt it would be the best place for someone interested in theater education. </p>
<p>The same is true of UArts. The DPP program there is excellent preparation for students who want to make theater from the ground up. Students learn to produce, direct, and stage their own shows. However, UArts is not known for academics either.</p>
<p>This is just a guess but I would think the best way to be taken seriously as a theater educator would be to get a BA at a respected university with a good reputation for theater.</p>
<p>I’m leaning towards Theatre Ed instead of Directing. This may mean a Theatre Arts/Theatre Studies degree with a teaching certificate, or an actual theatre ed program. Here’s what I’m looking at:</p>
<p>Emerson (Theatre Ed)
Evansville (Theatre Ed)
Texas State (Theatre Arts with Ed Concentration)
Texas Christian University (Theatre Studies)
University of Texas (Theatre Arts with Ed Concentration)</p>
<p>(I live in Texas, if you can’t tell.)</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Yes to the first two- I’ve heard nothing but great things! Haven’t heard much about Texas… There’s also the University of Northern Colorado, and Manhattanville. They both have pretty decent seeming theatre ed programs - Manhattanville requires an audition into the program, though, so it may also concentrate on performing.</p>
<p>I can tell you for a fact that:</p>
<p>1) Western Illinois
2) Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University
3) Lindenwood
4) University of Portland
5) U of North Carolina - Greensboro</p>
<p>MFA in directing programs do NOT discriminate based on age.</p>
<p>Morehead State has a theater ed. Program that is quite unique. You go for 5 years and come out with a masters in theater education.</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>