Ashland Center for Theatre Studies
Theatre Teacher Training Program
Earn your Master of Theatre Studies in Production and Design over three summers!
July 9-25, 2010
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 script analysis, design, and production 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 hands-on training in scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design; script analysis; theatre technologies; stage management; 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
Online course January 4-March 19, 2010 - Survey of Modern Drama: Theatre of the Absurd
Costume Crafts: Dyeing and Distressing - July 4-9, 2010
Mask Making and Movement - July 25-30, 2010
VectorWorks (computer-aided design) for the Theatre - July 25-30, 2010
The Director and the Rehearsal Process - July 25-30
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, Nevada, South Dakota, New Jersey, Idaho, Utah, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, and Maine, as well as from abroad, including Angola, Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Japan, South Korea, and Tunisia. Here's what they say:
- "A one of a kind and great opportunity for theatre teachers. The format and time frame are a plus."
- "I learned a lot that I can implement easily in the classroom and in productions."
- "I love the camaraderie of the students and the positive learning environment."
- "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."
- "Challenging and exhausting, but I would not trade it for anything."
- "I love the holistic approach and I've already become a better, more thoughtful designer."
- "The faculty has been extraordinary...very helpful and insightful; while the work was challenging, it never felt impossible and they were consistently supportive."
- "The access to the professional world is inspiring and my skills have been really developed."
- "I got a lot of very good information that will help me be a better teacher."
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 541-552-6346.

