Bachelor of Arts in Theatre - Theatre for Young Audiences

The TYA program encourages the development and pursuit of wonder, combining a foundational emphasis in drama education and curriculum development with the bold theatrics of puppetry, mask, clown, and dance. Within the flexible framework of the program, students can specialize in a wide variety of disciplines acting, curriculum, directing, playwriting, and puppetry all with the goal of capturing the imagination of young audiences.

We believe in an expansive understanding of TYA that should be seen on the stage, used in the classroom and sent to our world. These core values production, instruction, and service are fundamental to all aspects of the program.

Through breathtaking productions, the TYA program celebrates the exhilaration of live performance. Each year thousands of children, young adults and families arrive at the doors of Kennedy Theatre to be ushered into magical worlds beyond. Productions have ranged from classic fairy tales, to adaptations of children's literature, to new works by students, faculty, and guest playwrights. These offerings are filled with adventurous theatrical designs and styles, often combining elements of musical theatre, dance, puppetry, mask, and Asian and Hawaiian theatre techniques. The TYA program rejects a diminutive notion of children's theatre as a lighter, lesser, inferior cousin of 'serious theatre. Instead, we believe that TYA productions should strive for the highest level of artistic expression possible in every single aspect of the production.

Students in the TYA program seek to augment the power of teaching and heighten the results of student learning by exploring the techniques of dramatic practice in the classroom. This foundational emphasis situates the program at the intersection of theatre and education, at the crossroads of dramatic practice and childhood development, at the nexus of life and play.

We also believe that theatre is not only a source of delight for human flourishing, but can be used as a tool for transformation. Seeking to offer real world experience alongside theoretical components of study, the TYA program offers internships at local performing arts organizations and opportunities to serve local and global communities through the uses of applied theatre techniques.

To be considered for admission, you must have completed or are in the process of completing secondary school with a cumulative or overall grade point average (GPA) equivalent of B or higher. Focus will also be on the grades/marks you have received for Mathematics and Science courses.

The SAT or ACT is optional for prospective international students applying for 2021-2022 admissions.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

All official transcripts, examination certifications (e.g., General Certificate of Education) and other documents showing all high school and any completed post-secondary work must be submitted to the Office of Admissions. All official transcripts must be mailed directly by the institution or Ministry of Education to the Office of Admissions. Documents mailed or hand carried by you or anyone else will not be accepted as official or used for admission consideration.

Secondary school transcripts must include a list of courses taken and grades/internal marks received each year, class rank for the last four years of secondary school, and an explanation of the school's grading system. If transcripts with annual internal marks are unavailable directly from the school, you may photocopy your mark sheets or grade reports and have them certified by a school official who verifies that a transcript is otherwise not available.

IELTS - 7.0, TOEFL (iBT) - 100, TOEFL (PBT) - 600