Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Theatre for Elementary Teachers (Face-to-Face)

THEA 3900-01

Course: THEA 3900-01
Credits: 1.5
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Theatre, Dance, & Arts Admin
CRN: 32154

Course Description

This course is designed to acquaint students with a variety of techniques that incorporate theatre into the classroom through cross-curricular activities. The emphasis will be in actual application. Creative dramatics/interactive drama (role playing) and theatre production will be explored. Teaching strategies that integrate theatre with other curriculum will be stressed. Students will complete projects that can be incorporated into their classroom. Students will start each class with theatre exercises that they will lead, play and teach.

Required Texts

Students will utilize theatre resources found on-line and through the library Recommend Texts will be referenced but not required reading:

Spolin, Viola. Improvisation for the theatre: a handbook of teaching and directing techniques. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University Press, 1963.

Wills, Barbara Salisbury. Theatre Arts in the Elementary Classroom: kindergarten through Grade Three. New Orleans, LA: Anchorage Press, Inc. , 1996 (ISBN: 0-87602-033-3)

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Identify age-appropriate and play-accessible resources.
  • Create and adapt scripts for elementary performances.
  • Create and integrate choral readings into curriculum.
  • Identify curricular-appropriate reader's theatre scripts and select scripts for elementary classrooms.
  • Develop the ability to identify theatre exercises that are relevant and accessible for students to implement and cultivate sensory, vocal and movement skills.
  • Adapt teaching strategies to varied learning styles.
  • Develop scaffold theatre instruction, identify theatre fundamentals, demonstrate and improve teaching, and self-assess.
  • Create a curricular subject lesson plan and utilize integrated theatre exercises as the instructional delivery model.
  • Articulate the effect of theatre and culture of play on classroom environment and learning strategies.
  • Identify, describe, record and demonstrate theatre exercises that can be implemented in an elementary/secondary classroom.

Course Requirements

Written Assignment Submission Guidelines

Written assignments may have differing submission criteria and/or deadlines depending on the needs of the assignment. You should be diligent about following instructions and checking the individual deadlines. Unless otherwise specified by the instructor, all written assignments should be typed and submitted on Canvas.

Performance Expectations

Performance dates are hard deadlines. When they occur you are expected to be present and prepared. Do not make the mistake of thinking that “getting through it” or that remembering all of your lines is enough. It is not.

Course Outline

WeekDateWeekly LearningReadingAssignments Due
19/3Introductions & Creative DramaticsMake a Journal in class
29/8Find Curriculum & ApplyUEN Website#1 Curriculum Strategy Example Game
29/10Integrated Lesson Plan
39/15Integrated Lesson PlanPresent Lesson Plan
39/17Adapting a Childrens StoryBring a childrens Book to class
49/21Adapting a Childrens StoryBring 5 copies of your adapted script to class
49/23Rehearse Childrens Story ScriptBring costumes and Props
59/29Perform Childrens Story
510/1No Class High School Shakes
610/6Choral ReadingsChoral Readings
610/8Readers TheatreReaders Theatre
710/13PuppetsBring puppet supplies
710/15GamesBring journal and portfolio

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

It is my goal to respond to student messages within 2 business days and provide grades and feedback within 1 week from the due date.
Professional Decorum
All acting classes will be run as a professional working situation. This means:
  • Coming to class fully prepared as assigned
  • Showing respect for every member of the artistic ensemble.
  • A complete commitment and focus to the work each class period.
  • Saying YES to coaching and feedback!
  • No chewing gum, eating, or drinking in class (except water).
  • Wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing suitable for complete freedom and range of movement.
  • When working or presenting scenes, wear appropriate rehearsal clothes and shoes for the scene.
Professional Decorum Statement
The exercises you will be asked to complete in class may challenge you to step outside your comfort zone. This means that in class you may be exposed to new, different, and controversial ideas, language, and issues with which you may fundamentally disagree, which may even offend you in some manner. It is fine to respectfully disagree or point out how something might offend you and why. However, the recognition that controversy is at the heart of debate does not encourage or condone gender, sexist, racist, ethnic, or religious slurs, or any form of slander or hate speech. As always in our classes, these forms of speech will not be permitted. However, if you are still offended in any way by ideas and/or language that are different from your own, please contact the instructor.
Every effort will be made to ensure your physical and emotional safety, while also providing and holding a “brave space”. It is important to embrace the idea that acting is not comfortable. Much like the work one does with a trainer at a gym, you will be asked to stretch yourself. You will be asked to go beyond where you expected to go. Within boundaries you will learn to trust the difference between a trigger and something that is unfamiliar and may feel scary.

Phones & Electronics
Phone, laptop, or tablet usage is not permitted during class. All note-taking should be done by hand and on paper or scripts. Once class begins, all electronics should be turned off or set to silent and left in bags/backpacks for the duration of class.
Students continuously checking phones or devices during class time may be asked to leave and marked absent for the day.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI
The use of generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, etc.) is permitted in this course for the following activities:
  • Brainstorming and refining your ideas;
  • Fine tuning your research questions;
  • Checking grammar and style.
The use of generative AI tools is not permitted in this course for the following activities:
  • Impersonating you in classroom contexts.
  • Writing a draft or final draft of any writing assignment.
  • Writing entire sentences, paragraphs or papers to complete class assignments.
You are responsible for the information you submit based on an AI query (for instance, that it does not violate intellectual property laws, or contain misinformation or unethical content). If it is found that an assignment has been generated using AI, the assignment will be marked as a zero. When in doubt about permitted usage, please ask for clarification.
Remember, unacceptable use of AI undermines your own artistic value.
Canvas
This class will utilize Canvas. Through Canvas you will find information concerning assignments, readings, announcements, grades, etc. It is your responsibility to check Canvas frequently and it is strongly encouraged to check often as information can be added or announcements and reminders made through Canvas. This will be extremely important when you are absent so you can stay on top of your work.
Late Submissions
Written assignments turned in after the deadline will be penalized 10% per day (not class period) that they are late unless other arrangements have been made with the instructor before the assignment deadline.
Missed Performances
The rescheduling of a missed performance due to an unexcused absence will be evaluated on a case by case basis. As a result potential grade lowering may occur and will be entirely at the discretion of the instructor.
It is no small thing to miss a performance, do everything you can to avoid this. If you cannot, speak to the instructor beforehand so an appropriate plan can be made.

Attendance Policy

Attendance
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel or religious exemption. You are allowed 1 unexcused absences for the entirety of the semester. Each absence after 1 will result in a 33.333 point deduction in your attendance and participation grade. If you negate your total attendance and participation grade, your final grade will continue to decline by 1/3 of a letter grade as per the TDAA Student Handbook.
3 Tardies = 1 unexcused absence, see Tardiness policy below.
Tardiness
If a student arrives to class more than 5 minutes late, they will be considered “tardy.” Leaving class early unexcused will also count as tardy. Four instances of tardiness will be counted as one unexcused absence and applied to the attendance grading policy.
Students who are habitually late to class will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.
Illness
In the performance industry rehearsal time is precious and cannot be replaced. The success of the production depends on the health and well being of the entire ensemble. Masking is often the best middle ground for performers who need to continue working but who also must protect their health and the health of their co-workers. We will abide by those same standards in this class.
If you are feeling under the weather but are able to work safely, please wear a mask and join us.
If you are ill and are unable to work safely, please stay home. Contact the instructor and any scene partners beforehand and let them know so that an appropriate plan can be made to make up for the missed work.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.