My Theatre Education Philosophy
Theatre is an art form that incorporates more than just acting and performing on a stage. Theatre brings together people from various backgrounds, cultures, and skills to put on a show that one can consider a piece of art. As a theatre teacher with a background in performing, scouting, and booking talent within the entertainment industry, my classroom will be an enriching environment where students can learn new skills and foster current skills to put on a show that is thought-provoking and demonstrates the student’s hard work within their time in my classroom. Gaining a vast amount of knowledge ranging from memorization techniques, characterization exercises, and critical research skills that will apply to other subjects within the educational system. This coincides with the critical thinking, reading, and analytical skills that students will be obtaining while in my classroom as well.
While students are learning these new skills, they should have the freedom to express themselves openly and freely within a controlled environment. But also, an environment that is considered safe. I will create a safe environment to foster that creativity and expression by allowing students to be themselves while they are in my classroom. Demonstrating that creativity within the classroom, so that way discussions of applicability within the world of theatre would ensue. While students foster that creativity and expression, they will discover new interests within the world of theatre.
There are many different areas of theatre that students can explore. I will be teaching the students about these different areas of theatre and allowing them to have hands-on experience within those different areas of theatre, which will include the use of technology for designing elements. These will include, costume design, lighting design, sound design, set design and construction, directing, singing, and acting, the list is endless. I intend to not only make this a safe space for students but also a fun learning environment that will make students want to learn more about the world of theatre and what it encompasses.
Helping the students discover the world of theatre both excites and motivates me as a teacher. I will be the teacher who exposes them to the different cultures and backgrounds of theatre and its histories. I will show the students what it means to work together collaboratively to produce a show that demonstrates all the hard work the students have done over the quarter or semester. I will be the teacher who fosters growth and creativity through expression and guided exercises. Students need guidance, it is very plain and simple. Students need to be guided in a way that both motivates and educates simultaneously. This way the student will be able to not only absorb the information but also apply it within the classroom. In conclusion, theatre is a beautiful art form, and it portrays a message that is waiting to be told. I will be that teacher that guides the students along that journey, a journey to unfolding that story.