Theatre Education (Grades P-12)
Program Details
Xavier University's Theatre Education program prepares students to become dynamic theatre educators, pursue graduate-level education and/or move directly into the world of professional theatre. Fostering a practical, professionally-focused and student-oriented curriculum, the Theatre Education program helps students develop the necessary skills to be successful.
Courses and production opportunities range from performance and directing to technical and design work. Students tailor their undergraduate academic experience to follow their individual interests.
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
Xavier is known for providing an education that's both challenging and personal. Here are some courses that are part of the theatre education major at Xavier:
Survey of Dramatic Literature (THTR 110) - This course introduces students to a wide variety of theatrical literature. Utilizing basic analysis structures, class discussion and visits to local theatres to view productions, students will develop a broad-based understanding of theatre literature and production.
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.
Acting II (THTR 320) - Building on the skills developed in Acting I, this class focuses on honing a more specific approach to acting through detailed scene analysis, performance of contemporary scenes and plays, and reading and research of major acting techniques.
Directing (THTR 350) - Students will gain 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) - This course introduces students to the techniques, processes and methods of the scenic designer. 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.
Student Clubs
The following clubs are popular choices for students in the theatre education major.
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.
Career Outcomes
98% of Xavier students, including those in the theatre education major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduating.
Top Companies for Graduates: Cincinnati Art Museum, GE Aviation, Cincinnati Reds, Ernst & Young, Deloitte & Touche, LLP, Sycamore City School District, 84.51
Take the Next Step
Professional Collaboration
From Tony Award-winners to artistic directors of professional theatre companies, students have the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry.
Individualized Curriculum
Courses and opportunities can be a diverse lineup of acting, theatre technology, stagecraft, directing, playwriting and design.
Education Minor
Combine a well-rounded theatre education with the necessary educational courses to receive your license to teach theatre to grades PK - 12 in Ohio's public schools.
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."