COURSE CURRICULUM

The Secondary Theatre Education option in the theatre program at the University of New Hampshire is designed for students who want to become theatre teachers and work with learners across elementary, middle, and high school levels. This program combines theatre training with education coursework to prepare students for both classroom teaching and directing student theatre productions. Students complete a core set of theatre courses covering history, acting, directing, design, stagecraft, and performance, along with specialized training in areas such as stage makeup, theatre for young audiences, arts integration, community drama, and teacher planning for theatre. A key component of the curriculum is hands-on practicum experience, where students actively participate in different aspects of theatre production, including technical work, costume, performance, and marketing. Students are required to complete multiple practicums throughout their studies and gain real teaching experience by working with K–12 students through outreach programs or school-based placements, totaling at least 20 hours in their chosen age group. Education-focused courses such as Exploring Teaching and Methods of Teaching Theatre provide the pedagogical foundation needed to design lesson plans, manage classrooms, and lead theatre instruction effectively. The program also emphasizes directing and creative leadership, preparing students to guide student productions and foster artistic development in educational settings. Students must also complete a capstone project in their senior year and maintain a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0 with no grade lower than C- in major courses. In addition, students gain exposure to design and technical theatre through electives in costume construction, lighting design, and scene design. Graduates are prepared for New Hampshire K–12 theatre arts teacher licensure, teaching artist roles in professional theatre organizations, or further study through a fifth-year Master of Arts in Teaching or Master of Education program. Overall, the program develops both artistic and educational expertise, enabling graduates to inspire and train the next generation of theatre students.