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Ashland Center for Theatre Studies

Theatre Teacher Training Program

Earn your Master of Theatre Studies in Production and Design over three summers!
July 10-26, 2009

Join us for an intensive program specifically designed for working high school and community college theatre teachers. In a two-week concentrated, integrated curriculum each summer combined with research, curriculum, design, and production projects in your own school before and after each summer, you will receive thorough training in the essential aspects of the theatrical process. You will expand your understanding and skills in the art and craft of theatre while becoming a better theatre teacher.

Faculty include nationally and internationally known artists, including design and technical faculty from the SOU Department of Theatre Arts and professionals from the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF).

Course work includes training in scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design; script analysis; theatre technologies; and stage and production management. You will also have the opportunity to see productions at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and participate in post-show analyses of OSF productions.

Additional offerings through ACTS include

Survey of Dramtic Literature: Modern Drama January 5-March 20, 2009, online course 

Choreography for Musical Theatre July 7-11, 2008

Costume Crafts from Head to Toe July 7-11, 2008

The Director and the Rehearsal Process July 7-11, 2008

VectorWorks for the Theatre July 28-August 1, 2008

Theatrical Combat Workshop open to anyone 18 years and older, June 23-July 5, 2008, presented in conjunction with Dueling Arts International

 

Our students

Our students come from California, Oregon, Arizona, Washington, Wyoming, Virginia, Ohio, Connecticut, Iowa, Georgia, Missouri, Montana, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Michigan, Kansas, Texas, Tennessee, South Dakota, New Jersey, and Maine. Here's what they say:

  • "Hands-on practical activities that I can take directly back to my classroom"
  • "The idea of moving from big picture/dramatic action to final detailed product is really useful and has already improved my program."
  • "I love the camaraderie of the students and the positive learning environment"
  • "The amount of information I've learned is amazing!"
  • "I really enjoyed the variety of topics we covered...a lot was packed into two weeks"
  • "The curriculum and staff inspired me to evaluate and improve my approach to creating theatre in the high school, and the integration of the OSF staff and productions gave focus and perspective"
  • "The faculty has been extraordinary...very helpful and insightful; while the work was challenging, it never felt impossible and they were consistently supportive"
  • "I love the holistic approach and I think I've already become a better, more thoughtful designer"
  • "I can see the growth not only in my own work, but in the work of my students!"

The Theatre Teacher Training Program was presented with the Creative and Innovative Program Award for Most Outstanding Credit Program 2005 from the North American Association of Summer Sessions (NAASS). NAASS is an association of deans and directors of college and university summer programs located throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

For more information contact Su Grossmann at acts@sou.edu or 541-552-6633.

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