Applied Drama & Theatre for the Young [MFA]

Program Overview

The Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young program at Eastern Michigan University prepares students for careers in education, professional theatre for young audiences, and community organizations. It emphasizes the use of drama and theatre to engage youth and communities, and offers a customizable curriculum with core courses, research and project courses, practicum/internship, and restricted elective courses. Graduates are equipped with skills in theatre for young audiences, creative drama, applied theatre, and youth theatre.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young (ADTY) program at Eastern Michigan University focuses on the relationship between theatre artistry, pedagogy, and research. It prepares graduates for diverse career paths in areas such as education, professional theatre for young audiences, and community or non-profit organizations.

Objectives:

• Expand and sharpen students' abilities as artists and educators.
• Provide a foundation in Drama, Theatre for Young Audiences, and Applied Theatre/Drama.
• Empower students to customize their course of study based on their interests and goals.
• Prepare graduates for multiple career paths in education, professional theatre for young audiences, and community or non-profit organizations.

Program Description:

The ADTY program emphasizes the use of drama and theatre to engage the imagination, inspire ideas, and support learning for youth and communities. Students develop their skills in areas such as theatre for young audiences, creative drama, performance studies, applied theatre, arts integration, youth theatre, and community engagement.

Outline:

Core Courses (31 hours):

• CTAR 501: Foundations of Dramatic Experience
• CTAR 504: Performing Youth Literature
• CTAR 515: Drama/Theatre Facilitation for Artists and Educators
• CTAR 522: Applied Theatre
• CTAR 529: Producing Theatre for Young Audiences
• CTAR 535: Youth Theatre Theory and Practice
• CTAR 565: Studies in Educational Drama and Theatre
• CTAR 606: Colloquium in Communication and Theatre Arts
• CTAR 627: The Playwright and the Young Audience
• CTAR 657: Improvisation
• CTAR 658: Theatre for Young Audiences

Research and Project Courses (10 hours):

• CTAR 540: Performance Inquiry
• CTAR 541: Research Techniques
• CTAR 690: Degree Requirement
• CTAR 692: Degree Requirement

Practicum/Internship (4 hours):

• CTAR 671: Internship and Practicum
• CTAR 673: Internship and Practicum

Restricted Elective Courses (15 hours):

• Students choose from courses within the School of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts at the 500-level or above.

Suggested electives:

• CTAO 540: Personal Narrative/Oral History in Performance
• CTAO 541: Performance, Text and Context
• CTAO 542: Adapting/Directing Narrative Theatre
• CTAO 683: Workshop
• CTAR 523: Puppetry: Catalyst in Human Development
• CTAR 592: Special Topics

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Non-profit teaching artist
• Education director
• Manager
• Professor
• K-12 Educator
• Artistic director
• Playwright
• Director

Opportunities:

• Annual TYA productions, touring shows, and community engagement programs
• Collaboration with the Interpretative Performance Studies program on Boal techniques and theatre/drama in prisons
• Participation in ENGAGE@EMU for community service and work with diverse populations