Drama, music, and arts are integral to the Texan culture. The state has a rich history of storytelling, music, and visual arts, which have shaped its identity. And the protagonists taking this rich history forward are the drama teachers in Texas.

Drama teachers are passionate individuals who nurture students’ creativity, confidence, and communication skills through the performing arts. And in exchange, they can expect a yearly average pay of $69,690 in the state.

In this article, learn about the requirements for becoming a drama teacher in Lone Star State.

What Do Drama Teachers Do?

Most people are familiar with the job duties and responsibilities of a mathematics, science, or English teacher. They teach their respective subjects. But what are the job duties of a drama teacher?

Berklee defines drama teachers’ role as “teaching courses related to theater and helm student-assisted productions of plays, musicals, and more.”

It also notes that most drama teachers teach acting alongside subjects like:

• History of theatre
• Stage management
• Directing
• Playwriting

Some drama teachers may also excel in music and teach music at the school or college level.

Becoming a Drama Teacher in Texas: Step-By-Step

Unlike teaching or other professions, there’s generally no strict regulatory agency overseeing qualifications for theatre jobs in Texas. The theatre industry is largely self-regulated, with hiring decisions primarily based on talent, experience, and portfolio. In Texas, the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TXETA) is one organization that aims to formalize or standardize drama teaching. But again, it’s not the official body overseeing the domain.

That being said, if you want to take up a job as a drama instructor at colleges and universities, you need to complete certain requirements. Here are those:

1.    Complete a bachelor’s degree

In most cases, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement to get a job as a drama teacher. Most universities, institutes, and studios looking for drama teachers list this as the minimum educational qualification. Thus, you should get a bachelor’s degree, preferably in fine arts.

Note that fine arts is a diverse field. Within this field, there are dance, music, and visual arts in addition to theatre. If you’re interested specifically in theatre teaching roles and that’s where your passion lies, you should get a bachelor’s degree in the same.

Many universities in Texas offer degrees in theatre studies. For example, The University of Texas at Austin offers the BA program in Theatre and Dance. Likewise, Texas State University has a BA program with a Major in Theatre. Such programs are highly desirable for drama teaching roles.

2.    Complete the Educator Preparation Program

In Texas, the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) is a specialized course of study designed to prepare individuals for a career in teaching. This is the foundation for most teaching roles in the state.

The primary goal of an EPP like TeacherBuilder.com is to equip aspiring teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to create engaging and effective learning environments for students. The courses in the program cover the fundamentals of education, including child development, learning theories, educational psychology, and curriculum development. You’ll learn effective teaching strategies, classroom management techniques, and assessment methods.

3.    Complete certifications

While certifications aren’t necessary for drama teachers in Texas, it’s recommended that you complete them.

More specifically, you need to pass the required Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) for your specific teaching field. These exams assess your knowledge and skills in that specific area to determine whether you’re fit to teach in that subject.

If you aim to teach theatre in a school setting, a valid Texas teaching certificate with EC-12 Theatre is desirable. You may also consider certifications in project management or event management. These will equip you with the skills necessary to organize a theatrical event.

4.    Pass a background check

Background checks assess your background history and past criminal track record. This ensures that individuals entrusted with the care of children are suitable for the role.

Applicants applying for a teaching role must undergo fingerprinting to submit to state and federal criminal databases. State and federal criminal records are then searched to identify any criminal convictions or pending charges.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) maintains a list of individuals ineligible for employment in public schools. Applicants are checked against this list.

If successful, you’ll be cleared for a teaching role in any Texas institution.

5.    Gain experience with internships or volunteering

While landing a job straight out of college may be tough, you can make it easier by gaining some experience. This can be done via internships or by volunteering.

Experience showcases your practical abilities, demonstrating your understanding of stagecraft, technical skills, or performance capabilities.

Many theatres offer internships in various departments, from acting and directing to stage management, design, and technical theatre. You can check for advertisements regarding the same in their job boards.

Contributing to local community theatres or school productions is also a way to gain desirable experience.

With some experience on your resume, you make it easier for yourself to land a job.

6.    Apply for memberships with relevant associations

Many associations provide workshops, conferences, and educational resources to enhance your skills. The TXETA association has its own curriculum, which serves as a learning program for the members.

Other associations you can consider joining are:

• Educational Theatre Association
• International Thespian Society
• American Alliance for Theatre & Education

These associations offer opportunities to connect with other theatre professionals, expanding your network and potential collaborations. These are also opportunities to seek recommendations. In finding jobs, recommendations go a long way. So connect, seek, get recommended, and land a job.

7.    Create a portfolio

Again, not a necessary item, but having a portfolio gets your job-hunting process supercharged. A portfolio essentially demonstrates your skillset and qualifications.

This can be as simple as a webpage or Google Docs. By having a look at your portfolio, potential employers can easily assess your abilities firsthand.

So create a portfolio and upload the content with your best skills.

8.    Apply for drama teaching jobs

You’ve done all the hard work. Now, it’s the final task of landing a drama teaching job in Texas. Texas, being a populous state, has a considerable demand for teachers. However, competition can be stiff, especially in urban areas and for specific subject areas.

Begin by researching school districts that align with your career goals and preferences. They often have openings for drama teachers now and then. Or you can head over to job boards like Monster.com and see the available drama teacher openings in the area.

Another method is to use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with educators and school administrators. A personalized message inquiring about vacancies can open up opportunities not listed on job marketplaces.

You can also network with potential employers and distribute your resume at education job fairs.

Remember, the more number of times you apply, the higher your chances of landing a job.

For more information, you can look at the Fine Arts FAQ section of the Texas Education Agency.

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