The Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) module recognizes theatre as instrumental to the educational, artistic, and social development of every young person. The TYA module integrates learning through your engagement with TYA student groups; nationally-renowned K-8 drama educators in Evanston/Skokie School District 65; professional TYA companies in Chicagoland; TYA productions through Imagine U at the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts; the rich archival resources in NU’s library; and the dynamic coursework offered through the School of Communication. The TYA module prepares students for: professional work as artistic directors, performers, writers, teaching artists, education directors, arts advocates, or drama specialists; and graduate studies in TYA, Theatre Education, Devised Theatre, or Applied Theatre. This module culminates in a capstone designed to synthesize your learning and prepare you for your next professional or academic ventures in Theatre for Young Audiences.

Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate expertise in creating theatre and drama with/for young people.
• Create and execute effective lesson plans for teaching drama and for teaching through drama.
• Write effective, practical, and/or academic content for the field of TYA.
• Articulate values and standards in the creation of theatre with and for young people.
• Articulate an advocacy position regarding the role of the arts in the lives of young people.

Courses

Theatre for Young Audiences Course Requirements

Co-Curriculars

Opportunities for application and practice on campus include: 

• Co-curricular student TYA groups, such as Purple Crayon Players, Seesaw Theatre, and Griffin’s Tale.
• Imagine U, the Wirtz Center’s TYA season.
• Applied theatre coursework that engages with the broader community.

Opportunities for projects, practica, and internships off campus include: 

• Internship with Evanston/Skokie District 65 K-8 Drama program.
• Internship with professional TYA organization, such as: Chicago Children’s Theatre, Mudlark, Filament Theatre, Kerfuffle, Albany Park Theatre Project, or the education/TYA branch of a professional general theatre company.
• Engagement as an intern, presenter, or attendee at a national or international TYA conference, such as: ASSITEJ, TYA/USA, or AATE.

Capstone

The Capstone for this module should include the following components:

A Professional Portfolio which must include the following, organized with a Table of Contents:

1. Your TYA bio.
2. Your Artistic Reflection (see details below).
3. Your Resume or beginning Curriculum Vitae (C.V. recommended for graduate school applicants)
4. List of Courses taken within the TYA module.
   4a-d.: For each course (or at least four courses, if you exceed the minimum required), provide 1-2 samples of your best work in that class.
5. List of TYA Activities outside of coursework (minimum one on-campus activity and one off-campus internship/experience).
   5a-b.: For each activity (or at least one on-campus and one off-campus, if you exceed the minimum requirement) provide 1-2 work samples or documentation of your engagement. These may include written work, photos, press clips, programs, etc.
6. Writing Sample that exemplifies your knowledge of the field. This may be practical (i.e. lesson plan, study guide, or play excerpt) or research-based. Your writing sample may come from any of your coursework or outside activities but should be distinct from the other items provided in your portfolio.
7. One Letter of Recommendation speaking to your strengths as a TYA practitioner and/or scholar.
8. (optional) Any additional materials not listed above which you feel articulate your growth throughout this module.

Artistic Reflection Details: Typically 7-10 pages long, your Artistic Reflection should address at least three of the topics below. You may address the topics individually or weave your insights into a single essay.

1. (required) A reflection on your courses, on-campus experiences, and off-campus experiences throughout the Module. Articulate how these opportunities supported your growth and deepened your understanding of TYA. Explore how your time in the Module has helped to shape or clarify your postgraduate goals.
2. Historical understanding of the development of the field and the individuals who contributed to the growth of the field, and how this historical lens informs your contemporary practice.
3. Analysis of dramatic texts and/or TYA practices that have helped define your aesthetic and vision as a TYA artist and scholar. This may include examples (i.e. your favorite works) as well as non-examples.
4. Knowledge of institutions, individuals, and resources that promote the development of theatre and drama for young people.
5. Articulation of the benefits of youth engagement in theatre-based programming, illustrated by your experiences in the module and broader research within the field.
6. Contemporary contextualization of TYA within political, social, and educational systems, considering both challenges, opportunities, and examples of innovation within the field.

Oral Defense: Upon the completion of your portfolio, you will schedule an appointment with three committee members (at least one of whom must be a TYA Module Coordinator) to discuss the contents of your portfolio.

Suggested Timeline for Completion:
Ongoing: Save work samples from TYA courses, on-campus, and off-campus experiences

Senior Year:

• Fall Quarter:
  • Draft TYA bio
  • Draft resume or curriculum vitae
  • Submit invitations to committee members
• Winter Quarter:
  • Request letter of recommendation
  • Organize portfolio materials
  • Enroll in Capstone course for Spring
• Spring Quarter:
  • Schedule oral defense
  • Write artistic statement
  • Finalize/organize materials
  • Submit materials (two weeks before oral defense)
  • Conduct oral defense