What is the best idea for a major if you want to teach theatre in high school?

Question

I want to be a high school theatre teacher and I was wondering what would be the best major and emphasis. I'm really into dance and stuff, and my idea was to double major, but would that not really work?

Answer 1

First, you should find out what undergrad degrees your local university will accept from Education candidates. Where I live, Drama wouldn't be enough. You would need to double-major in an academic teaching area, like English, Math or History. With only a Drama (Fine Arts) degree you wouldn't even be able to get into the university Education program.

You should also consider an academic teaching area because you're unlikely to find full-time work as a drama teacher. Most people teach drama on a part-time basis, and then either go home or teach other (academic) classes. If you're happy working part-time for say, the first ten or fifteen years of your career (until you have seniority) you could stick with Drama. However, if you're concerned about earning enough money to support yourself I would suggest that you also choose an academic subject to teach.

Answer 2

You certainly can double major or major in theater (or drama) and get a minor in dance. I would also strongly suggest that you get a second major in something more academic since many schools would be more likely to hire an English teacher who can also teach drama, for example, rather than someone who is just qualified to teach drama.

From another perspective, though, if you get a double major in dance and theater, you could open your own business teaching classes in both of these things rather than teaching them through the schools. I know several people who do this and make a good and enjoyable living.

Answer 3

Check the certifications available in your state (there will be a website through your state's department of education). Most states don't have a "theater" certifications as most schools don't have a full-time theater teacher. Most often it is an English teacher who also does theater. In some states this is a communications certifications which combines theater with writing and some literature. In other states, the theater person is just a teacher for another subject area who happens to teach 1-2 courses in theater as well (without it being a particular area of certification).

Answer 4

Queer studies.