What does a Drama Teacher do?
Drama teachers teach courses related to theater and helm student-assisted productions of plays, musicals, and more. While almost all drama teachers teach acting, that doesn't mean they're acting teachers; drama teachers also teach courses in numerous other theatrical subjects including history of theater, stage management, and directing. Drama teachers work with students from across the spectrum of age groups and experience levels, with aims that—correspondingly—range from merely developing a student's confidence and interest in theater to producing a professional-level theater artist with broad training and experience.
At a Glance
While almost all drama teachers possess bachelor's degrees, usually only those who work at the college, university, or conservatory level are required to have master's degrees.
Drama teachers typically work for primary schools, secondary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, conservatories, and private acting schools. They might teach in nontraditional settings like hospitals, prisons, community centers, homeless shelters, and foreign countries.
Acting; teaching; directing; theater history; creating a curriculum; classroom management; attention to detail
Drama teachers must possess sharp attention to detail, leadership skills, and enormous patience, persistence, and creativity. Compassion and empathy go a long way to helping drama teachers better understand the mindset of their students and how to increase their mastery of the material.
Schoolteachers tend to have consistent daily schedules that may include after-school assignments, leading student clubs, and rehearsing for productions. Private acting teachers and on-set coaches have more unpredictable work schedules, including last-minute sessions with students facing an impending audition, or directors in need of assistance while already in production.
