Drama Teacher

Tasks & duties

Drama teachers may do some or all of the following:

• plan classes, organise and manage the learning of pupils
• teach students acting skills and methods from a range of styles
• coach students in speaking clearly, voice projection and movement
• teach students about plays and the history of drama
• teach students to create their own dramatic pieces
• assess students' performances and written work
• prepare students for performances or exams
• direct rehearsals for performances
• organise guests to perform or teach
• keep students informed about drama events in the community
• teach a combination of performing arts such as dance, mime and puppetry
• help organise co-curricular and extra-curricular activities such as school plays and stage challenge
• devise programmes and policies for the department
• set up lighting, build sets and make costumes
• private drama teachers may run their own business or work on contract

Skills & knowledge

Drama teachers need to have:

• acting skills and knowledge of different styles of acting
• knowledge of the history of theatre and books, plays, music and poetry
• knowledge of the New Zealand arts curriculum and how to plan lessons
• teaching skills, and knowledge of different teaching methods and learning styles
• knowledge of body posture, movement, speech and language
• skills in evaluating students' progress and performances
• communication skills and the ability to relate well to students
• listening skills
• classroom management skills
• understanding of a range of cultures
• knowledge of what is happening in the drama community
• knowledge of lighting and set design
• research skills
• creative ability
• organisational ability
• problem-solving skills

Drama teachers working in schools need to have knowledge of school rules and procedures, and behaviour management. They also need to have knowledge of how to access services that provide support and help to teachers.

Entry requirements

To become a full-time drama teacher at a secondary school you need to have a degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts majoring in performing arts, drama, theatre or similar, and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. Your degree needs to include study in a second teaching subject, such as English, to meet the entry requirements for the graduate diploma programme. This allows you to teach additional subjects, like English, if there are only a few drama classes to be taught. 

Some colleges offer a Bachelor of Teaching majoring in drama; however, this is becoming less common, with graduates being paid less than those with a drama degree and postgraduate teaching qualification. 

For teachers who work in private schools and community centres a degree in drama, or having taken acting and performance arts courses is usually a requirement.

Secondary education

A tertiary entrance qualification is needed to enter university and teacher training. Useful subjects include drama, English, classical studies, history and art.

Training on the job

Skills are gained on the job. Drama teachers also attend courses and seminars to update their knowledge.
 
New teachers have a reduced teaching load and a special programme of support provided by their school for the first two years in the job. There is a network of associations of drama teachers (NZ Drama Association) that allows drama teachers to support each other through meetings and seminars and conferences. 

The Ministry of Education, through the School Support Services Contract, provides university-based arts advisers/facilitators who can also offer in-school support and on-the-job training.

Registration

Upon completing the Graduate Diploma of Teaching, drama teachers can provisionally register with the NZ Teachers Council. Full registration is normally gained after two years of full-time satisfactory work as a teacher.

Useful experience

Useful experience for drama teachers includes:

• drama or speech training
• theatre, film and radio work
• lighting and sound work
• work involving contact with people
• acting, dance or directing

Related courses

Drama and Theatre Studies
General Primary and Secondary Education
Teacher Professional Development

For more information, please refer to Career Services.