6 Amazing Non-Theatre Classes for Determined Theatre People

Written by Kehle Hatch

August 23, 2017

Fitting all the classes you need for a degree or a high school schedule can be hard. Trust me — I know from experience — you might take one class thinking it will count, but just ends up as an elective. On the other hand, maybe you only need to fill in a time slot to count as a full time student. Regardless of your situation, here is a list of six groups of classes that don’t scream “theatre” but can still be applied to the theatre.

1. Foreign Language / American Sign Language

Now, I know foreign languages can be a bit tedious, but before Deaf West’s Spring Awakening had you ever thought about how those who don’t understand English or are Deaf enjoy live theatre? Unfortunately, there are no in real life subtitles, but there are interpreters who are always in high demand. Even if you don’t plan to interpret, you might be cast or work with a group that will have many different languages spoken. I’m not saying that you have to be fluent in 6,909 living languages, just know some basics of the popular languages in your area, and you will have an additional skill that others might not have.

2. Personal Development (Organization and Writing)

Personally, I find being organized is important to your life in general, especially if you find yourself forgetting assignments and important dates. Most colleges should offer some sort of organization class, though it might be under “personal management”. Another class that counted towards my associate’s degree was a creative writing class. Had I known before I took my literature class, I would have signed up! Writing is a good course for theatre students so you can gain an understanding of how scripts are written, and you may find you enjoy the creative outlet.

3. Personal Health (Yoga, Meditation, Keyboarding)

Your personal health is just as important as your grades, if not more important. If you do not take care of yourself, you will not be able to perform to the best of your abilities, both on stage and in a classroom. If your school offers a yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, or keyboarding class and you have a lot of heavy courses, you might want to look into it. While these classes may seem like an easy grade, depending on who you are, it gives you a class to sit and focus on you. Put all thoughts of the upcoming show or the huge paper due next week to the side, and enjoy connecting back to yourself in these classes.

4. Business (Business of Bartending, Event Planning, Social Media Storytelling)

Most dinner theatres have the cast and crew work as the servers and then in the show. Keeping that in mind…if you have experience in event planning, social media, or bartending, you also have additional skills that can get you in the theatre before you are acting or doing other tech work. Just because you aren’t starting in the position that you want doesn’t mean that you can’t get there one day. It starts by showing up and working to the best of your abilities. These types of classes also give you the opportunity to do some extra work on the side when money gets tight.

5. Musical Skill Development (Instrument, Songwriting, Music Theory)

We are getting a little closer to theatre classes here, but the skills that you learn in a music class allow both actors and tech to work better with one another on musicals. Have you ever had someone in a musical that had no idea about music? I have, and it can be a little frustrating because sometimes there’s a communication barrier. Knowing how music works, how to read music, and even how to write music opens opportunities for you to expand your skills in musical theatre. You may be asked to work with a small group of altos on a lower part in a song, or you may be asked to play the chords for your cast to warm up if the musical director is running late.

6. Expanding Theater Skills (Voiceover, Ballroom Dance, Hand Dance, Interior Design)

These classes can be argued as theatre classes, yet at my college they are not for credit. Regardless if they are going towards your degree, these classes can help you as a theatre student. Voiceover gives you an opportunity to work on sound skills and focus on working with your voice. Voiceover also leads you towards movies and T.V. work as well — characters that are heard but not seen on the stage. Hand and Ballroom dancing can be used on stage in shows that require a formal dance such as Phantom of the Opera, King and I, and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Finally Interior Design and Decoration classes can help those scenic charges, light designers, and set designers understand how to ‘put a room’ together and know why certain choices are made. Audio Engineering can help you mix sound and compose music for shows in need of sound effects or original scores.



Need some advice? We’ve got you covered.

Kehle Hatch is a recent graduate from the College of Southern Maryland with an Associates Degree in Theatre and Dance. She mainly focused on all aspects of tech, but has recently branched out into acting and playwriting. She plans to continue her education by earning a Bachelors degree in theatre education.