Theatre (Theatre for Youth and Community), PhD

Program Overview

The Theatre for Youth and Community PhD program at ASU prepares future leaders and researchers in the field. Students develop personalized study plans, receive individualized mentorship, and become proficient in research, artistic, and teaching skills. The program culminates in a dissertation based on original research, contributing new knowledge to the field. Graduates pursue careers in arts entrepreneurship, community arts, education, professional theater, and youth theater.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Objective:
• To educate future leaders and researchers in the field of theatre for youth and community.
• To investigate the history, literature, theory, pedagogy, and artistic practices related to performances with youth and community organizations.
• Description:
• Develops a personalized course of study through coursework, research, and connecting interests to contemporary trends in the field.
• Receive individualized attention and mentorship.
• Become proficient in research, artistic, and teaching skills.
• Contribute to the field through research and scholarship.

Outline:

• Required Core (30 credit hours):
• Research (12 credit hours)
• Research Methodology (6 credit hours)
• Electives (30 credit hours)
• Culminating Experience (12 credit hours)
• Electives:
• Can be chosen from a wide range of areas like community-based theatre, theatre education, theatre for social change, theatre history, theatre theory and criticism.
• Can also be taken from other schools/departments.
• Research Methodology:
• Chosen in consultation with supervisory committee.
• May include certification of literacy in a foreign language if necessary for dissertation research.
• Additional Requirements:
• Ongoing performance review by supervisory committee.
• Comprehensive examinations on theatre history, literature, criticism, theatre for youth, theatre education, and research area.
• Dissertation based on original research, demonstrating proficiency and adding new knowledge.

Assessment:

• Performance review by supervisory committee:
• Assesses student's progress in coursework, development of research skills, artistic skills, and teaching competencies.
• Comprehensive examinations:
• Written and oral components assessing knowledge of theatre history, literature, criticism, theatre for youth, theatre education, and the research area.
• Dissertation:
• Evaluated for originality, quality, contribution to the field, and demonstration of proficiency.

Teaching:

• Individualized attention and mentorship:
• Provided by faculty in a supportive and challenging atmosphere.
• Research-oriented:
• Students actively engaged in research and scholarship.
• Development of diverse skills:
• Program aims to develop research, artistic, and teaching skills.

Careers:

• Arts entrepreneurship
• Community arts
• Elementary, secondary, and tertiary education systems
• Professional theater
• Youth theater
• Requires a bachelor's or master's degree in theatre or education.
• Minimum GPA of 3.00 required.
• Requires submission of application materials including transcripts, curriculum vitae, writing sample, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.
• Interview is optional.