Theatre Teaching BFA
College of Fine Arts
Arts Pass
Bennion
Center
Learning Abroad
Office of
Undergraduate Research
Courses
Getting Started
- Meet with an advisor to create a course plan
- Start with theatre core courses
- Begin taking pre-licensure courses & complete USBE background check
- Complete math & writing requirements
Making Progress
- Check in with advisor to stay on track of theatre & pre-licensure requirements (refer to catalog for more info)
- Continue taking GEs & education/pre-licensure courses
- Enroll in THEA 3810 & 3820 - Theatre Teaching Forum and Practicum
- Talk to advisor or area head about theatre elective options
- Apply for UITE's education licensure program before your final year of student teaching
Finishing Up
- Enroll in field practicum & student teaching courses - EDU 5490 & 5495
- Finish pre-licensure courses
- Review degree audit & meet with advisor to track progress toward graduation
Community
Getting Started
- Attend CFA's welcome event ArtsBash & events hosted by the SAC
- Explore student clubs on campus at the Get Involved Fair
- Browse our events calendar & attend shows with friends
Making Progress
- Participate in department productions
- Get involved in student-driven work
- Join the Theatre Teaching Students' Coterie
- Attend guest artist talks, workshops & lectures
- Use ArtsPass to visit museums like the UMFA & attend cultural events
- Go see shows in the community & find opportunities to network
- Attend the annual ArtsLINK conference in the spring to connect with arts education students
Finishing Up
- Find opportunities to network at your student teaching site
- Take on a leadership role in SAC or a student group
- Join professional organizations like the Utah Theatre Association
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Explore academic resources like Marriott Library, Writing Center, & Learning Center
- Check out the CFA's Create Success Initiative
- Audition for class/student projects
Making Progress
- Attend ArtsForce workshops, talks, lectures, & panels to learn more about working in the arts
- Check out student research resources & opportunities in OUR
- Participate in faculty research - talk to your professors or area head
- Stay on track of praxis deadlines & UITE teacher licensure procedures
- Apply for a FAF grant to seek financial support for student-driven extracurricular experiences
Finishing Up
- Complete your student teaching experience
- Discuss career/grad school options with your professors
- Attend an academic or professional conference in your field
Transformation
Getting Started
- Take GEs that meet requirements & fuel your creativity
- Explore student projects and/or ways to get involved in a production crew
- Apply for scholarships in the dept./college
Making Progress
- Take advantage of office hours to get to know your professors & discuss your interests
- Participate in productions on campus or in the community
- Audition in the spring for upcoming productions
- Apply to participate in our London Learning Abroad Experience or explore other study abroad programs
- Participate in a workshop or training through the Counseling Center or Center for Student Wellness
Finishing Up
- Submit an original play or musical for development in the New Plays Workshop
- Share about your capstone project on the dept.'s news page
- Participate in graduation ceremonies & events
Impact
Getting Started
- Use your ArtsPass to access events
- Consider taking a CEL-course
- Meet with an advisor or Student Success Coach to discuss your interests & set goals for your time in college
Making Progress
- Teach for Youth Theatre at the U during the summer
- Participate in ArtsForce events & activities
- Volunteer to work with SAC
- Consider running for a position in ASUU
- Apply to become an ArtsBridge Scholar and/or an Endowed BTS Arts Fellow in local BTS schools
- Get involved with the department's justice, equity, diversity, & inclusion committee
- Check out UITE's Teaching Resources
Finishing Up
- Develop an undergraduate research project through UROP & present at the Undergraduate Research Symposium
- Propose an event, workshop, or project for funding by the FAF grant program
Careers
Getting Started
- Talk to a pre-professional advisor if interested in law/med/dental school
- Explore major/minor programs to complement your degree
- Apply for an Emerging Leaders Internship
Making Progress
- Attend talks by guest artists & other dept. events to network and learn about career opportunities
- Work on department productions & update your resume regularly
- Begin thinking about your online professional profile and ways to showcase your work
- Consider having your resume/professional documents reviewed by a Career Coach in the CPDC
- Explore grad school programs, if interested
Finishing Up
- Refine your resume & teaching portfolio
- Apply for jobs/grad school
- Attend career fairs hosted by local school districts
- Connect with the department & college's alumni networks
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
The BFA in Theatre Teaching is a four-year professional degree that prepares you to teach theatre in a variety of dynamic and challenging learning environments. As a student in the Theatre Teaching BFA program, you will complete the theatre core coursework in theatre production, scenography, script analysis as well as the history of theatre. You also take classes in topics such as scene and costume design, lighting, stage makeup, acting, stage directing and stage management. Our curriculum includes numerous theatre courses that focus on teaching and directing in elementary and secondary classroom settings, and you will take education courses as part of the Urban Institute for Teacher Education (UITE) licensure program. In your final year, you complete a field practicum and student teaching experience in secondary classroom settings. The Theatre Teaching BFA program includes numerous opportunities to teach, direct, and work in partnership with urban schools, the award-winning Youth Theatre at the U Program, and community-based organizations. You can also get involved with departmental productions, participate in our London Learning Abroad Program, and engage in undergraduate research. With a BFA in Theatre Teaching, you are prepared to apply for your K-12 teaching license in Utah and pursue a career as an elementary, junior high, middle school, and high school theatre educator.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of the central elements of theatrical process and production.
- Analyze, contextualize, and communicate ideas about dramatic texts or performances from a broad range of traditions and periods, including our own.
- Direct and create expressive performances with various types of groups and in general classroom situations, and integrate dramatic stills into a variety of educational, community, and artistic contexts.
- Model professionalism in K-12 public school systems (student teaching/practicums), theatre organizations, and community spaces.
- Develop and implement comprehensive, standard-based K-12 theatre education programs and curricula that are inclusive.
- Exhibit a commitment to adapting, modeling, and implementing multiple learning methods (including technology) in the theatre space, and to integrating dramatic skills into a variety of educational, community, and artistic contexts.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.