Program(s) Available: B.S.Ed., Minor
Are you passionate about speech and theatre? Teaching students how to perform and practice good vocal habits helps students develop critical and creative thinking skills. If you are looking to inspire the future stars of tomorrow and sharpen your own speech and debate skills, a speech and theatre education degree may be right for you!
Speech and theatre education majors become certified to teach grades nine through 12 and serve as play directors and forensics or debate coaches. Faculty focus on ensuring students have the skills and techniques needed to effectively teach students in the classroom.
Students majoring in speech and theatre education have access to hands-on experiences in their first year. Students even get to direct their own production at Northwest! To prepare students for a successful college experience and career, faculty provide a mentoring program that matches new students with upperclassmen to help balance school and extracurricular activities.
In your first year as a Bearcat, you will have the opportunity to perform in several shows. In addition, you will take Acting, Oral Interpretation, Theatre Design, Theatre Foundations, Tech Skills in Theatre (up to three times in three separate areas), and Theatre Appreciation. Later, depending on the direction you choose to pursue, you will have classes such as Advanced Acting, Acting Periods and Styles, Voice and Movement, Creative Dramatics, Stage Makeup, Theatre Design in Costumes, Electrics, or scenery (or all), Theatre Drafting and Advanced Drafting, Playwriting, Theatre History (two options), Stage and Business Management, Directing, Theatre Capstone, and more. Northwest’s semi-comprehensive philosophy gives you an overview of all major areas of theatre but lets you focus as narrowly as you would like. This enhances marketability and helps graduates secure jobs right out of college.
First-year students may audition for theatre scholarships at either the fall or spring theatre visit day or at any time that can be arranged between students and faculty. Students majoring in any theatre area, including education, can earn scholarships. In addition, the theatre program offers numerous opportunities for work as facility assistants or earning service award scholarships in areas ranging from box office management to performance coaching to scene shop supervision. Between 10-20 service award scholarships are offered each year.
A Bachelor of Science Education in speech & theatre is available at Northwest. Two tracks are available; a comprehensive option and an option that requires a minor. View the 4-year plan or catalog for courses and more information. (Certifies Grades 9-12)
Speech & Theatre Education 4-YEAR PLAN (B.S.Ed - Comprehensive)
Speech & Theatre Education 4-YEAR PLAN (B.S.Ed - Minor required)
A speech and theatre education minor also is available. This fully-certified program permits students to teach grades nine through 12. Students take the same foundation courses as theatre majors and participate in Northwest’s Freshman/Transfer Showcase during their first year. (Certifies Grades 9-12)
An area of endorsement also is available for middle school education majors! (Certifies Grades 5-9)
Department of Fine and Performing Arts
660.562.1326
nikkiy@hwfj-art.com
Career Ready
“I think that Northwest has prepared me for the professional world in having a very well-rounded skill set. Being very versatile is wonderful for professional employers.” — Shawn Murphy
It is one of Northwest’s newest organizations open to all theatre majors. While many of its members are future teachers, the club is ideal for future performers, technicians, teaching artists, or anyone interested in enjoying creative expression through theatre.
Theatre BA’s have the opportunity to minor in theatre in preparation for a career in musical theatre. Many also participate in ensembles such as the Tower Choir, the Wind Symphony, Bearcat Marching Band or several other groups. Two programs within the department join together bi-annually to produce a large-scale musical theatre production open to theatre majors in every area. Recent shows have included Urinetown, The SpongeBob Musical, Little Shop of Horrors, and classics like Oklahoma and the Music Man.
USITT is the United States Institute for Technical Theatre. Its membership comprises mainly designers and technicians, but all are encouraged to join. The group presents workshops throughout the year, A national conference is an annual highlight.
