Hi! So for as long as I can remember, there have been two constants in my life. I want to be a teacher, and I want to perform. I’m currently a High School Junior, trying to decide on a college major. I already have an awesome University in mind that is in my area that offers incredible programs in all three of the above majors, I’m just not sure what I want to pursue. I already take voice and acting lessons so I could pursue any of the three. I believe I would enjoy a degree in Musical Theatre most, but I highly value being able to be independent and in a job after college, and I’m not sure if that degree can take me there. If I decide on a Music Education major with a minor in theatre, it would be easier for me to hold a stable job, and do to community theatre on the side, but I wouldn’t be taking as many theatre classes as I would want. My mom thinks a BFA in Theatre would be the best option for me and my talents, but I can’t see myself not studying voice in college. What would be the best major/minor combination for my interests that would still support me outside college?
I think you should apply for several different majors! Definitely spread it out and apply to theatre, musical theatre, and education degrees, because you might discover what you really want to do through the application process.
That being said, you have so so many options! From what you said, it seems to me that you would enjoy a theatre ed/performance degree with a music minor or voice lessons on the side.
I know Emerson offers a Theatre Performance and Education, and you can probably take voice lessons too!
Belmont has a Theatre Ed and BFA Theatre performance program, and you can minor in music. Wagner also has a dual degree theatre performance/ education program.
There are options if you truly want to major in musical theatre, because you can either double major or minor at some schools. I’d say look for schools with a BA musical theatre, because you’ll be more likely to be able to double major. Some that come to mind are James Madison (although I don’t know about double majoring), American (BA musical theatre and you can minor in ed. with teacher certification), and UTampa allows double majoring for MT and education. U New Hampshire does too, just as a few examples of where to start.
At James Madison there is a Theatre Education concentration which can lead to k-12 certification to teach Theatre. Some students also choose to double major with English or History, and do Secondary Ed. certification. Theatre students can and do take singing, dancing, and musical theatre classes, and participate in plays and musicals.
Some students choose to major with an emphasis in Music Ed., and minor in Theatre, and take course work.
There are also some other potential options with Theatre, Musical Theatre, Muaic, and Education that could be explored.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
Thank you! The school I’m looking into is going to start offering a Theatre education major in the near future, my voice teacher who is a professor at the college hinted at it being available by the time I am a freshman in college so I’m hoping to major in Theatre ed and minor in music if it’s available.
If you’re interested in teaching in the public schools, you should be aware that teaching credential requirements vary from state to state and that, even with an education major, you might need to take some specific coursework for your credential. On the other hand, if you earn a bachelor’s degree (BA or BFA) from any regionally accredited college or university you can use it as the basis for many teaching credential programs, and there are even some programs where you can teach (and earn) while completing the credential. If you know where you want to live after college, you can look up the state credentialing agency, and you may find your options are quite broad.
There are also many theatre companies that hire teaching artists for their own education programs and might have assistant positions (volunteer or paid) available. Working a few hours a week to build your teaching resume can give you a leg up in the future. My D (who just finished year one of her BFA in MT) did some of this type of volunteering in high school that became the basis for paying jobs in the field.
You have to figure out on what level you’d like to teach and what subject. If it’s k through 12, you need to look at what is required for state certification and what each certification allows you to teach. Also, what kind of job market is there?
For example, if you get a music degree you can teach general music classes, band, orchestra or choir. If you get a theatre degree and certification in theatrr you may only be able to teach theatre. But if you get a degree in English, you can teach both English and theatre in many states.
To teach K to 12, you may eventually need a MA or MS degree in education. To teach on the university level, you will probably need an MFA to begin with.
At some schools you can get a BM in musical theatre or vocal performance and then get a MA in music education.
Some theatre classes may count as English requirements. Or you can take additional English classes to meet the 24 credit minimum for must English education masters programs. I’d personally advise against only being able to teach theatre k to 12 since there are very few job options.
It’s true that there are teaching artists position available, but they usually don’t offer benefits or stability.
My D got a BFA in studio art last May and was able to get her MA in Art ed in a year. She’s graduating tomorrow–completing all classes by July 1–and will be starting in September as a NYC Middle school art teacher in Brooklyn. She hopes to juggle teaching and having an artistic practice. My older D graduated with a BM in MT and considered taking a similar route.
In my state (OH) there are very few schools that I know of that have a full time theater teacher. Most teach another subject - English, Music, History, all sorts of things. Many schools offer a theater class, but not a full time schedule in that subject. You would be more marketable if your were able to teach a core class