Throughout the course of my academic career, I have been fortunate enough to have had incredible teachers of theatre. In my own classroom, I seek to create an environment that brings together the best elements of these teachers, as well as my own personal experiences. Continuing arts education is incredibly important to our society, because it teaches us about the lives of other people and to be more compassionate. Students are able to relate what they learn to their own life experiences, and it can help them to shape their values. I believe the best classroom is welcoming and inclusive of all students and types of learners. This is especially important when thinking about students who may be differently-abled than others. Students should be encouraged to ask questions, taught to think critically, and see the different perspectives of their peers. All students should be provided the same types of opportunities to succeed in my classroom, regardless of abilities.
It is important to meet all my students at their academic level and to bring them all to a deeper level of viewing theatre as a way of understanding humanity by the end of a semester. I hope to help my students gain a new appreciation for learning and the arts through looking at theatre in perhaps a new and exciting way with the use of literary texts. I am always looking for new plays and playwrights, which is something I learned in my undergraduate career, and I will share this enthusiasm with my students. I will effectively communicate the information that I know about theatrical texts, conventions, and theory in a way that excites and engages my students. Theory helps us to engage with the text in a meaningful and in-depth way that a simple conversation cannot accomplish. Through lectures and in-class, text-focused exercises, I hope to help my students gain more understanding of the literary side of theatre. In order to measure the effectiveness of my teaching, I will utilize research projects and student-created artist and theorist presentations, as well as have my students participate in round table discussions related to each text they read. I believe that sharing the knowledge I have gained with others, especially those younger than myself, is incredibly important.
There is a great need to continue the growth of the arts, especially academically. While there will always be young people who dream of becoming performers, it is just as important to educate and introduce young people to other aspects of theatre. It is vital to inspire future dramaturgs, administrators, and funders in the same way teachers of theatre have always inspired performers, directors, and designers. Through teaching, I hope to assist students in exploring these often-unseen career paths in the arts and to share their newfound knowledge with others. I believe that in order for theatre and humanity to continue to thrive, we must keep learning and teaching each other and those around us. The future of theatre is inherently reliant on those who are following in our footsteps, and for that to happen we must teach them. I believe that the arts are inherently important to the development of society into a more compassionate and understanding world, and teaching the future creators of theatre is an incredibly profound and exciting venture.
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