content
About the Program
Photo by Dick Schwarze
The Drama/Theatre for the Young program in the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts at Eastern Michigan University originated over 40 years ago under the leadership of playwright/author/director, Virginia Glasgow Koste. D/TFY at EMU is known as one of the most prominent graduate programs in the world. EMU Theatre of the Young was also named one of 17 outstanding American children's theatres by the Children's Theatre Association of America (now American Alliance for Theatre and Education).
The program's thrust is to explore the methods by which drama and theatre can be utilized to enhance and promote human development. The Drama/Theatre for the Young program curriculum is based upon the active philosophy that ideas must be tested through practical experience in leading creative drama, puppetry and creative movement classes and workshops, and storytelling and performing in schools, recreational centers, hospitals and libraries.
The Theatre of the Young touring companies teach over 20,000 students each year, many of whom would otherwise never come into contact with the performing arts. Over the years, these companies have been recognized for pioneering innovative forms like story theatre. By combining music, movement and language in their performances, performers bring great classics, folk literature, poetry and the writings of children to life. Through work in the touring program and studio productions aimed toward elementary and adolescent audiences, graduate students are provided the opportunity to develop their skills as performers, writers and directors.
In addition, the Theatre of the Young mainstage productions present full scale staging of plays such as A Woman Called Truth, A Christmas Carol, Ghost of the River House, The Yellow Boat and Arm in Arm. Since the first mainstage production in 1963, a Theatre of the Young production has been included in every EMU Theatre mainstage season.
The Drama/Theatre for the Young program was conceived to serve students with widely varied interests and has continued to grow in that spirit. The program is highly compatible with a variety of backgrounds and professional experiences, including special education, language and literature, theatre arts and communication, psychology, social work, recreation, childhood development, library science, dance, music and telecommunications.
Career Opportunities
Theatre and Media uses continue to expand. Professional theatre for young audiences, artists-in-the-school program, civic and community theatre, high school productions touring to middle and elementary schools and children's television are typical applications
Educational use of informal participation drama for all ages is leading to wider demand for drama specialists, consultants and coordinators. Teachers at all levels, including those in early childhood and special education, who are trained in developmental drama techniques are needed as more schools begin to implement drama and comprehensive arts programs.
Social Service applications like the therapeutic uses of drama led by psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers, extending to the use of role playing and gaming are emerging as a powerful tool in the training of counselors and playing and gaming in the training of counselors and police.
Recreational uses of this work are being explored as parks, camps and community centers continue to begin or expand drama programs.
Religious applications of developmental drama involve drama in worship and ritual as well as in education for values clarification, ethics and philosophy.
Top of Page
as in education for values clarification, ethics and philosophy.
