Skip Navigation

Southern Oregon University

Ashland Center for Theatre Studies

Theatre Teacher Training Program

Earn your Master of Theatre Studies in Production and Design over three summers!

"This program changed my entire self-image as a theater arts teacher and I can't thank you enough for that" - Joyce Thrift, 2010 Masters Program

Summer 2012 Two-Week Main Session: July 6-21

Join us for an intensive, two-week program designed specifically for employed theatre teachers at the high school and community college level.  For three consecutive summers, study an integrated curriculum at the SOU campus where you will receive thorough training in script analysis, design, and production.  During the academic school year, work from your home base and use the setting of your own school theatre to continue your studies in the areas of research, curriculum, design, and production.   This program will help expand your understanding and skills in the art and craft of theatre while allowing you to become 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.

2012 Winter Term Online Elective Course: January 9 - March 23

Workshop/Dramatic Literature/Absurdism : Explore the work of some of late modernism's most exciting post- WWII playwrights.

2012 Summer One-week Elective/Professional Development Course Week:  July 22-27

Three quarter-term credit, weeklong courses which can apply to the Master's degree curriculum, or can be registered for by individuals who are seeking to fulfull teacher continuing education requirements for their school districts.

Choreography for Musicals: Develop skills in both dance technique and choreographic composition with the goal of becoming more capable of choreographing a musical or of supervising a student or guest choreographer. 

Puppetry; Design, Construction and Performance will lead students in a week long, extensive, workshop in the art of puppet design, construction, performance, manipulation techniques and scene work.

Scene Painting Intensive  Students will engage in an intensive workshop learning scene painting for theater from the brush up.  

Master of Theatre Studies dates for 2013

July 12-27, 2013. - main graduate program prologue weekend and two-week session
July 28 - August 2 - week of elective courses

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:

  • "I feel like I could walk into any theatre with confidence and know technically the basics and then some in each design area to be comfortable in designing for that space."
  • "I feel lucky to be working with such great teachers"
  • "Amazing teacher and artist"
  • "Bravo!"
  • "Simply put: wow."
  • "The care and hospitality of the faculty and staff were a great support and bonus for all of us."
  • "Wonderful program."
  • "The most valuable aspects of the program are the excellent instructors and the opportunity to interact with other theatre teachers. It is especially important to have supportive professors and the ACTS faculty is superb. My cohort is an amazing group of theatre teachers. Knowing them has enriched my life immeasurably"
  • "A one of a kind and great opportunity for theatre teachers. The format and time frame are a plus."
  • "Challenging and exhausting, but I would not trade it for anything."
  • "The access to the professional world is inspiring and my skills have been really developed."
  • "I have grown not only as a Technical Theatre educator but as an artist, and that was something I truly did not expect and I am very grateful for it"
  • "I most like the caliber and character of the faculty and staff. I expected the knowledge and expertise but I did not anticipate the level of care and compassion they display on a minute-to-minute basis. (The business of theatre is, after all, mysteriously connected to the complexity and variety of humanity.) You folks do a magnificent job of making us feel supported and respected."
  • "Amazing people – amazing program. Very happy student here."

For more information contact Emmy Graham at acts@sou.edu or 541-552-6346.