Rehearsing for Life: Teaching Drama Teachers.

Overview & Synopsis

Although the situations in which and for which drama teachers are trained vary widely, six principles can be applied to virtually all drama education programs. First, drama teacher education must be based upon the contexts in which the students will be teaching. Second, drama teacher education should be based upon the interpersonal skills both of the life process and of the drama process. Third, drama teachers in training must clearly understand and work with the kinds of knowledge that occur within dramatic action (the tacit) and the kinds that occur in discourse about dramatic action (the explicit). Fourth, the education of drama teachers should include training in the contemporary use of reason. Fifth, the education of drama teachers must focus on the practical knowledge they will require as teachers. Finally, teacher training in drama should respect the individual teacher's practical knowledge. In addition, drama education programs must be re-evaluated to include such features as more time and careful sequencing. Perhaps most importantly, a drama teacher must be a good teacher first. (DF)