About the course

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. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 5 Semester(s)Fees: Not available

Intake	Location
Spring (January), 2024	Honolulu
Fall (August), 2024	Honolulu
Spring (January), 2025	Honolulu
Fall (August), 2025	Honolulu
Spring (January), 2026	Honolulu

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for University of Hawaii - Manoa

To be eligible, an applicant must hold or expect to hold prior to matriculation a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or an equivalent degree from a recognized non-U.S. institution of higher education. At minimum, the applicant needs to demonstrate above average academic performance (B average, usually a 3.0 on a 1.0-4.0 scale) for undergraduate course work and for any post-baccalaureate or graduate course work.The TOEFL minimum score for foreign students is 500/61 (paper/internet) or IELTS overall band test result of 6.00

　　

English language requirements

　　6.0

　　Overall IELTS band score

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　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 61.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomes

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　201st / 1250

　　THE World ranking

　　

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