A drama teacher teaches theater, stage presence, and acting to students of various grades and skill levels. Depending on the circumstances, the job can entail a variety of tasks. In most schools, drama education combines practical skills such as public speaking and stage presence with theoretical elements such as the differences between genres such as comedy, tragedy, and farce. Some drama teachers also oversee entire theater departments, and as a result, they are often in charge of staging student productions and assisting with all aspects of show production. This person’s primary focus, like that of most teachers, is on student education, but there may be a variety of extracurricular commitments that are part of the job description. These are sometimes compensated with extra pay, but not always.
In general, drama education
In most parts of the world, theater and dramatic arts are an important part of the school curriculum. Though theater and other fine arts aren’t always immediately useful in the way that science, math, or language are, education experts consider theater and other fine arts to be an important part of any well-rounded education.
For dramatic education, there isn’t always a set curriculum; a lot is usually left up to individual school districts and educators. When it comes to what the job actually requires, there can be a lot of variation from place to place, but the core elements are usually the same everywhere. A drama teacher, in general, teaches students about theater acting as well as all of the other aspects of producing a show. Set design and construction, costumes, stage make-up, theater history, directing, dance, singing, and diction are some of the topics covered in class.
These instructors also assist students in developing their confidence, public speaking skills, and self-expression. They may also assist in the planning of school drama productions, as well as assisting students in auditioning for and performing in these productions as well as more advanced shows in the future. In terms of nurturing natural talents in students and teaching a specific skill that takes root outside the physical classroom, there are many parallels between drama or theater teachers and sports coaches.
Typical Assignments and Exercises
In a typical drama class, the instructor might have students do some stretching or warm-up exercises, as well as diction drills, to get them ready. Speaking exercises and “tongue twisters” are commonly used in these drills to prepare the lips, tongue, and teeth for proper enunciation. Pantomime games, which help to assess body language, and improvisation games, in which students must rely on characterization rather than memorized lines to dictate their next actions on stage, may also be used. Monologues, or scenes with only one speaker, are often assigned to students individually by the instructor. He or she may also have the class practice ensemble scenes that require multiple characters to interact.
Understanding the Theater
This teacher’s responsibilities usually include theatrical education as well. Although language arts teachers are responsible for much of the analysis of plays as literature, drama students frequently read famous scripts or screenplays as a foundation for discussion and practical applications. Teachers usually spend time with students discussing various theatrical genres and assisting them in identifying some of the major trends in each.
Theatrical Productions
Because many schools only have one drama teacher, that teacher will be expected to create and manage an entire drama department. These responsibilities may include assessing students for appropriate class placement, choosing a play for which any student may audition, conducting auditions, casting the play’s roles, and scheduling after-school rehearsals and performances.
Even in well-staffed departments, it is common for one or more teachers to be in charge of staging school theater productions. Once rehearsals begin, the teacher may be in charge of recruiting students or other faculty to help with stage management, lighting, costumes, music, props, and set design and construction, among other things. The teacher may need to plan for publicity and ticket sales in the weeks leading up to the performance’s start.
Various Locations
Teachers of drama and theater can work in a variety of settings, including public and private elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as colleges and universities. The opportunities available are usually determined by the job market’s current demand as well as the teacher’s education and experience. Almost every situation necessitates at least a bachelor’s degree, and some even necessitate a master’s degree.