Theatre Education (Grades P-12)
Program Details
Are you ready to help train the next generation of theatre artists? As a student in the theatre education program, you'll discover a unique blend of comprehensive theatre education and essential educational courses tailored to help you obtain your license to teach theatre to grades PK - 12 in Ohio’s public schools. Through hands-on experiences and collaborative projects with professionals in the field, you'll gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful theatre educator.
Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is nationally recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. 99 percent of our students, including those in the theatre education major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022).
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Science in Theatre Education
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Theatre Education (Grades P-12) major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- THTR 100: Intro to Theatre............ 3cr.
- THTR 120: Acting I............ 3cr.
- ENGL 101 OR ENGL 115............ 3cr.
- Second Language Elective [1/2]............ 3cr.
- CORE 100 OR THEO 111............ 3cr.
- EDMS 131: Professional Education............ 3cr.
- CORE 101............ 0cr.
Spring
- THTR Perf/Prod Elective I OR THTR 221............ 3cr.
- THTR 110: Survey of Dramatic Lit............ 3cr.
- CORE 100 OR THEO 111............ 3cr.
- Second Language Elective [2/2]............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- EDFD 110: Human Dev and Learning............ 3cr.
- CORE 102............ 0cr.
Fall
- THTR 205: Theatre History I/Oral Comm............ 3cr.
- THTR 198/199: Theatre Workshop............ 1cr.
- THTR 150: Stagecraft............ 3cr.
- Natural Science Elective............ 3cr.
- Philosophy 100............ 3cr.
- EDSP 200: Sp Ed Ident and Issues............ 3cr.
Spring
- THTR 206: Theatre History II/Writing Flag............ 3cr.
- THTR 198/199: Theatre Workshop............ 1cr.
- THTR Production/Performance Elective II............ 3cr.
- THTR 211: Script Analysis............ 3cr.
- Theatre Production/Performance Elective............ 3cr.
- Math Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Philosophy Perspectives............ 3cr.
Fall
- THTR Production/Performance Elective III............ 3cr.
- THTR Elective ............ 3cr.
- THTR 301: Teaching Methods: Elementary............ 3cr.
- ERS (Ethics)............ 3cr.
- ENGL 205 Lit and the Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- EDMS 350: Tech and Topics for Teachers............ 3cr.
Spring
- THTR 350: Directing............ 3cr.
- THTR 198/199: Theatre Workshop............ 1cr.
- THTR 302: Teaching Methods: Secondary............ 3cr.
- Theology Perspectives............ 3cr.
- Quantitative Reasoning............ 3cr.
- EDSP 380: Classroom Management............ 3cr.
Fall
- THTR Perf/Prod Elective IV or THTR 430............ 3cr.
- THTR 198/199: Theatre Workshop............ 1cr.
- Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
- Social Science Elective............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspectives............ 3cr.
- DCR (Diversity)............ 3cr.
- EDMS 411: Clinical Experiences............ 1cr.
- CORE 499............ 0cr.
Spring
- EDMS 47X: Student Teaching............ 9cr.
- EDRE 471: Content Area Literacy............ 3cr.
Sample Courses
Sample courses within the theatre education curriculum:
- Improvisation for the Actor (THTR 160) - This course will introduce the student to the historical origins of improv, long and short form improv and traditional improv games used by Second City. Students will create monologues, scenes, and performances with the skills developed in class.
- Directing (THTR 350) - This course introduces students to practical experience in play direction through the study and application of script breakdown and analysis, basic staging techniques and basic directing theories. Students will direct two scenes during the semester.
- Set Design (THTR 330) - The course will explore scenic design through analysis and research, creating a design statement, developing preliminary sketches, creating a groundplan and white model, and presenting a finalized design. This course will also examine historical aspects of set design, effective use of scale, and key aspects of artistic drafting and rendering.
- Professional Education (EDMS 131) - This course provides an introduction to the teaching profession through a philosophical, historical and multicultural approach. The student will examine beliefs, motives, values and behaviors as they relate to the teaching profession. Field experiences are required.
- Clinical Experiences (EDMS 411) - Clinical teaching experiences in school settings, encompassing childhood, middle school or adolescent to young adult learners. The focus will be on diagnosing learning difficulties, implementing remediation strategies and mastering assessment techniques and best practices. Additionally, a weekly seminar will be held. Participation in field experiences is mandatory.
Career Outcomes
99% of Xavier students, including those in the theatre education major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduating (Class of 2022). Explore Xavier's Career Outcomes Dashboard to view career outcomes by major.
More: Xavier's Career Development Office assists students in their search for employment by offering individual career counseling sessions, conducting workshops and maintaining an employer database. More than 100 nationally known companies visit the campus annually to interview graduating seniors for open positions.
Student Clubs
- Don't Tell Anna- Don't Tell Anna (DTA) is an improvisational comedy group that provides an alternative entertainment option to students on campus. The troupe combines the two types of improv, long-form and short-form, into monthly performances that are free of charge.
- Toolbox- Toolbox is a student-led improv comedy troupe sponsored by the Xavier Theatre program. Featuring both long and short-form improvisation techniques, Toolbox performs multiple times throughout each semester.
- XU Live- XU Live is a live performance club that strives to support student performers at Xavier University and create a platform for bi-monthly open mic live performances in the heart of campus: Gallagher Student Center.
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Find more information about how you can become a Musketeer.
Request InformationLearn from the Best in the Industry Through Professional Collaborations
From Tony Award-winners to artistic directors of professional theatre companies, students in the musical theatre major have the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry. You'll also have the chance to participate in Xavier Theatre’s new play development collaboration with NYC’s Fault Line Theatre.
Tailor Your Academic Experience to Your Interests and Career Goals
With a varied course selection, you'll have the flexibility to customize your academic journey according to your interests and professional aspirations as a professional in the theatre industry. Chose from courses covering diverse topics within the discipline, including acting, theatre technology, stagecraft, directing, playwriting and design.
Get Certified to Teach Theatre for Grades PK-12
In the theatre education major, you can work toward specific requirements for theatre teacher certification for grades PK - 12 in Ohio's public schools. Our department collaborates closely with the School of Education to provide a program tailored to your ambitions.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Theatre Education (Grades P-12) Major at Xavier University
Home to a passionate and talented group of students, faculty, staff and theatre professionals, Xavier University's Theatre program creates practical experiences and professional collaborations within its Theatre, Musical Theatre and Theatre Education degrees. With a fundamental focus on offering student opportunities, Xavier Theatre offers a dynamic and diverse production season of musicals, dramas and comedies, working with some of the most outstanding directors and designers across the country.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."