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Michael Gotch (left) and Stephen Pelinski in the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program production of The Imaginary Invalid
Choosing Your Core Curriculum
Deciding which classes to offer and how they will
translate in terms of teaching method is next on your
to-do list. Consult with administration about important
compulsories such as university course credit specifics,
but also don’t hesitate to get feedback from your faculty—and
students—about what they’d like to cover.
“Collaboration between students and faculty is not
a hierarchal arrangement,” says University of Findlay
instructor Heather Williams. “It’s about giving our students
responsibilities, then using give and take to
produce good work, an opportunity theatre uniquely
lends. It’s important in any program to perpetuate
ensembles—creating a sense of family can result in your
students doing their best work.”
It’s also preferable to make your curriculum as democratic
as possible, so that even students new to drama
studies can participate. “I teach lots of kids who initially
have no theatre background, but who come in
with a great deal of curiosity and enthusiasm,” says Vicki
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