The Youth Drama program at UNH gives students the tools to develop creative programming for children in and outside the classroom. Ideal for aspiring elementary teachers or teaching artists, the program offers advanced training in storytelling and theatre. Students can also pursue a fifth-year master's in teaching for New Hampshire certification. With award-winning faculty, over 25 annual performance opportunities, and the ability to apply for financial aid for those who participate in an internship, the program provides a comprehensive foundation for a career in youth drama and education.
What is the youth drama option in theatre?
through creative programming, the youth drama option is for you. This theatre degree program will give you tools to work with children in settings inside and outside the classroom. Whether you’re interested in elementary school teaching or working as a teaching artist, you’ll learn advanced skills in storytelling and theatre, and you will have the opportunity to work with our master puppeteer. This program will give you hands-on teaching experience and the option to pursue a fifth-year master’s degree in teaching through the UNH Education Department.
Why study youth drama at UNH?
In addition to our award-winning faculty, the UNH Department of Theatre and Dance offers more than 25 performance opportunities every year in musicals, plays or dance concerts, including student productions. You’ll be able to pursue independent studies and you’ll be eligible to apply for R.E.A.C.H., financial assistance provided to students who participate in internships with professional theatre or dance organizations. Our Cultural Stages program brings acclaimed playwrights, choreographers and other theatre artists from around the world to campus. With the addition of the fifth-year master’s program, you’ll be able to obtain your New Hampshire teaching certificate in elementary education.
Potential careers
- Arts program director
- Artist-in-residence
- Elementary school teacher
- Nonprofit administrator
- Professional storyteller
- Puppeteer
Curriculum & Requirements
Anyone interested in teaching elementary-aged students would benefit from the youth drama option. Consider pairing this with family studies or early childhood education. Youth drama is for those students who wish to use dramatic arts as a teaching tool, either in the elementary classroom or as a teaching artist. Our comprehensive curriculum is specifically designed to train teachers to use storytelling and creative drama to enrich the classroom. Work with our master puppeteer to take Introduction to Puppetry as well as Advanced Puppetry. Through comprehensive class and laboratory work, students obtain hands-on theatrical teaching experience so that, by the time they reach graduation, they have spent significant hours teaching children. This program will give you hands-on teaching experience and the option to pursue a fifth-year master’s degree in elementary teaching through the UNH Education Department. Whether pursuing the fifth year graduate certification program or entering the professional theatre education world directly after the undergraduate degree, students will leave UNH with sound theoretical training in addition to practical instruction on how to use drama to enhance learning outcomes, address classroom discipline issues and, of course, bring the arts to life in the classroom.
Contact Raina Ames, Paul Creative Arts Center, (603) 862-3044.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
In the freshman and sophomore years, students should enroll for at least two major and two Discovery courses per semester. The minimum grade requirement for major courses is C- per course. Any grade lower than C- will not count toward the major. Under department policy, students who complete both COMM 401 American Sign Language I and COMM 502 American Sign Language II satisfy the bachelor of arts language proficiency requirement. All majors must take courses in the following areas: performance, design/theatre technology and theory/history as well as fulfill between four and eight practicums and complete a capstone course. Although timing will vary with each option, it is strongly suggested that all introductory courses be taken prior to the end of the student's sophomore year. Students must also complete a digital portfolio that demonstrates fulfillment of student learning outcomes related to their area of study.
The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.
Theatre department majors may use one major-required course to satisfy one Discovery category requirement.
All UNH B.A. degrees require a minimum of 128 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| THDA 459 | Stagecraft | 4 |
| THDA 460 | Elements of Design | 4 |
| THDA 463 | Theatre Dance I | 4 |
| THDA 522 | Storytelling, Story Theatre, and Involvement Dramatics | 4 |
| THDA 583 | Introduction to Puppetry | 4 |
| THDA 589 | Practicum (A - D) 1 | 1 |
| THDA 624 | Theatre for Young Audiences | 4 |
| THDA 683 | Advanced Puppetry | 4 |
| THDA 721 | Arts Integration | 4 |
| THDA 727 | Methods of Teaching Theatre | 4 |
| THDA 729 | Community Oriented Drama Programs | 4 |
| THDA 760 | Teacher Planning for Theatre | 4 |
| THDA 799 | Capstone Project (must be taken in senior year) | 2 |
| Education | ||
| EDUC 500 | Exploring Teaching 2 | 4 |
| Total Credits | 51 | |
- 1
The practicum ensures a breadth of experience in the major, including sets, costumes, lighting, props, box office, marketing, and performing. Students must register for practicum every semester. They are notified of their practicum assignment at the beginning of each semester.
- 2
Must be taken before student teaching internship.
State Teacher Certification
Youth Drama options often pursue elementary education certification. In order to obtain state licensure, students must apply to either the UNH Department of Education or another university for acceptance into a fifth year masters of education (M.Ed.) degree program, which fulfills state requirements for certification. Students who are accepted into early graduate admission may take up to 12 credits toward the masters degree while finishing their undergraduate degree. For further clarification regarding fifth-year certification options, contact Raina Ames, Paul Creative Arts Center, (603) 862-3044, raina.ames@unh.edu.
5-Year Teacher Licensure M.Ed. Program
The 5-year teacher licensure M.Ed. program includes the same requirements as the B.A. youth drama option but with the following modifications.
- The following requirements are added:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 601 | Exploring Mathematics for Teachers I 1 | 4 |
| EDUC 605 | Educational Perspectives in Critical Times 1 | 4 |
| EDUC 701/801 | Human Development & Learning: Cultural Perspectives 2 | 4 |
| MATH 703 | Teaching of Mathematics in Grades K-5 1 | 4 |
| EDUC 703F/803F | Teaching Elementary School Science 2 | 4 |
| EDUC 703M/803M | Teaching Elementary Social Studies 2 | 4 |
| EDUC 706/806 | Teaching & Learning Literacy in the Elementary Classroom 2 | 4 |
| EDUC 751A/851A | Inclusive Elementary Education: Literacies and Learning for Diverse Learners 1 | 4 |
| EDUC 808 | Literacy Assessment for Elementary Classroom Teachers | 4 |
Must be taken concurrently with EDUC 900A | ||
| EDUC 809 | Supporting Readers in Elementary Classrooms | 4 |
Must be taken concurrently with EDUC 901A | ||
| EDUC 900A | Internship and Seminar in Teaching | 6 |
| EDUC 901A | Internship and Seminar in Teaching | 6 |
| Total Credits | 52 | |
- 1
Must be taken before student teaching internship.
- 2
May be taken at undergraduate or graduate level.
Core Student Learning Outcomes for the Bachelor of Arts in Theatre major: On completion of the B.A. in Theatre, students will:
- Recognize and distinguish between various styles and forms of theatre or dance that have shaped the evolution of these disciplines.
- Effectively communicate artistic ideas and/or critical analysis of theatre or dance works through appropriate oral, written or practical means.
- Demonstrate knowledge and fundamental skill level of the basic areas of theatre or dance production in areas related to performance, design, technology or management.
- Create and demonstrate informed and personal artistic choices in coursework and productions (i.e., design, dance, directing, acting).
Additional Student Learning Outcomes for Option in Youth Drama: In addition to the shared department learning outcomes for all THDA students, upon completion of the major with an Option in Youth Drama, students will:
- Develop and compile effective lesson plans and teaching materials appropriate to student developmental levels and individual learning styles.
- Define a personal teaching philosophy.
- Demonstrate effective teaching strategies and established skills as a group leader in dramatic activities.
- Evaluate teaching abilities through analysis and reflection.
- Demonstrate technical skills in storytelling and puppetry performance techniques.
- Match to teaching materials the appropriate national educational standards for arts and non-arts subjects.
