Introduction to Theatre for Young Audiences

DRAM 211/3.0

Overview

DRAM 211 offers an introduction to the history, literature, and theories of theatre conceived for audiences of young people. Students will read a variety of plays intended for young audiences and consider the social and artistic issues associated with various dramatic and theatrical techniques.

This online course will explore how the theatre for young audiences (TYA) plays are responding to the immediate developmental, social, educational and artistic needs of their audience. The course is divided into three units as follows: 1) Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) – Defining the Field; 2) Making TYA in Canada; and 3) Contemporary TYA in Canada.

Learning Outcomes

After completing DRAM 211, students will be able to:

  • identify and discuss the prominent theories, trends, themes, practitioners, and organizations in Canada that focus on Theatre for Young Adults (TYA);
  • articulate the unique characteristics and expectations of young audiences;
  • demonstrate how theatre for young audiences can affect child psychology and development;
  • define the role of TYA in contemporary society and propose ways in which it can benefit young audiences; and
  • critically analyze their own subjective experiences of the course materials by making connections between personal experience and insights gleaned from contemporary theory, practitioners, and organizations in the field of TYA.