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From the local to the federal level, EdTA engages in ongoing work to affirm the professionalism of theatre educators and the value of arts education. We show up on behalf of students and teachers in national arts education working groups, legislative offices, policy events, advocacy campaigns, and more. And we provide a wealth of resources for members to advocate for our mission – and their own theatre programs.
The pandemic has hit school theatre hard: Canceled productions, school closings, teacher burnout, budget cuts, and more put programs at risk. Yet theatre education’s benefits can serve as an antidote to negative effects on student learning and social emotional well–being. Get equipped for rebuilding with these resources.
As the leading advocate for school theatre, EdTA supports its members – and the field – by galvanizing support around key issues affecting theatre education. Get familiar with those core topics and our stance on them.
“It is imperative that all students have access to an equitable delivery of arts education that includes dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts that supports their educational, social, and emotional well-being, taught by certified professional arts educators in partnership with community arts providers.”
View Arts Education is Essential Statement
“An education without the arts is inadequate. Therefore, we call on our public policy leaders to provide a systemic and rigorous arts education for all students in all public schools by leveraging the expertise and experience of the partners involved in arts education.”
View Arts Education for American Students — A Shared Endeavor
“As a well-rounded subject area under federal education law, the Every Students Succeeds Act, the arts support the social and emotional well-being of students, foster a welcoming and safe school environment, and encourage inclusivity through multiple pathways for every child’s creative voice.”
View Arts ARE Education
“To help students realize their full learning potential through theatre and speech & debate, it is essential that educators, schools, and school boards create an environment and context in which complicated and challenging issues can be explored, discussed, and enacted, giving voice to the complexity of our world and the stories and subjects our students already encounter every day, as they build skills and talents that will serve them throughout their lives.”
View Freedom of Expression Statement
As the national theatre education service organizations, the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) and the American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE) have a responsibility to speak up on behalf of all students engaged in school-based theatre making and the educators who are guiding them. Part of that obligation is to advocate for physical spaces where students, teachers, and their audiences can come together without fear of harm, whether it is the classroom, stage, studio, or outdoors. School should be welcoming, open environments where youth have a sense of belonging and can discover, reflect, and learn safely.
“It is essential that the FCC protect wireless microphones and other devices used by performing arts entities that provide valuable public service. Congress should urge the FCC to expand eligibility for Part 74 licenses and allow for geo-location database protection to nonprofit performing arts and education entities that regularly use 15 or more wireless devices and to institute a waiver for eligibility for a license to performing arts entities that use fewer than 15 devices but can demonstrate need and ability to responsibly manage a license and thereby protect operations and financial investments in technical equipment.”
View Statement of Concern — Protecting Wireless Technology
As “the nation’s report card,” the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) measures student achievement in various subject areas. In 2019, it was announced that NAEP would no longer assess the arts. EdTA is part of the Arts Education Working Group, a coalition actively protesting this decision. From our statement:
“We request that the U.S Department of Education:
Theatre education facts and data at your fingertips!
Explore our curated library of studies and papers illustrating the value of arts education.
Get involved!
EdTA and its members advocate for school theatre at all levels: federal, state, and local. Discover tips and tactics to speak up for your theatre program.
The Advocacy Leadership Network is EdTA’s volunteer-led source for updates and support in your state or region.
Meet the chapter representatives from across the country!
The hot-button titles in the school repertory Here’s a list of plays
This series of short articles supplements the Fall 2012 Teaching Theatre (volume 24, number one) report…
Have an advocacy need or a question about these tools? Wondering about policy, legislation, or issues in your region, state, or district? Contact us, and we’ll connect you to an advocate.
