Trends in Theatre Education
Exploring the Climate of School Theatre Programs Nationwide
As the leading voice for the field, the Educational Theatre Association strives to amplify the value of educational theatre by advocating for theatre educators, their students, and their communities. This year, we launched a new annual climate survey to measure the demographics, trends, issues, and attitudes among theatre educators in the 2023-24 academic year.
The survey provides a snapshot of what’s happening in the field and how current issues are affecting educational theatre, along with recommendations for educators, administrators, and policymakers to strengthen the field – and positive outcomes for students.
Participation
The survey was conducted in May 2024. Educators from across the spectrum of theatre education were invited to participate, including classroom teachers, school administrators (such as fine arts coordinators and principals), teaching artists, afterschool drama directors, and outreach and education directors at community arts providers.
Highlights
Participation is High
Theatre education is once again thriving in schools, as participation continues to grow and stabilize. This growth underscores the vital role theatre plays in student engagement and development – because theatre matters.
These numbers highlight the dedication of educators who champion theatre’s role in shaping creative, connected, and confident students. When theatre thrives, so do the students it serves.
Theatre Teachers Do It All
Theatre educators are the driving force behind their school’s theatre programs, balancing both in-classroom teaching and after-school activities. The majority of educators surveyed (74%) lead co-curricular programs that offer theatre coursework and extracurricular opportunities – demonstrating the essential role of theatre in holistic student growth across various types of schools.
Only a small number of schools (0.02%, or 29 total respondents) reported more than five theatre teachers, highlighting the unique contributions of individual educators who often carry the entire theatre program.
Funding Issues Remain
EdTA estimates that the typical cost to stage a school musical—which includes licensing, ticketing, costumes, props, sets, and other equipment—is about $10,000. Yet many programs are largely self-funded – a testament to the resourcefulness and dedication of theatre educators and their communities.
More than half of respondents (51%) say they receive little to no funding. 21% receive between $1,000-$4,000, while about a third receive more than $4,000. Advocating for increased financial support remains crucial to expanding the transformative power of theatre in schools.
Hungry for PD
Theatre educators are constantly seeking ways to enhance their craft. While licensed educators must complete professional development (PD) to retain their credentials, many find themselves pursuing theatre-specific PD independently – a reflection of both their passion and the need for more targeted support.
For teaching artists, 51% receive no theatre-specific PD from their employer, while 57% engaging in it independently. This data shows a clear opportunity for schools and districts to invest more in the unique PD needs of theatre educators. Because when theatre matters, your growth and continued learning matter, too.
Censorship in Theatre Education is Real, but Nuanced
The conversation around censorship and restrictive state laws in education is a critical one for theatre programs. While these challenges are real, educators continue to make bold choices and lead with creativity and integrity, demonstrating that theatre still matters in shaping inclusive, thought-provoking experiences for students.
Encouraging News
45% of respondents say they have full autonomy over the titles they choose. Another 47% require administrator approval, while 6% need district-level approval.
This consistency in autonomy from 2023 shows that most educators retain the freedom to create meaningful and relevant theatre experiences for students.
Concerning News
Of these, 22% were forced to change titles due to pressure from administrators, parents, or community members. These numbers are a significant increase over 2023, when only 6% were encouraged to change and 4% ultimately had to. Almost half say their administration has introduced new policies about theatrical material and casting this year.
It’s clear that while autonomy is still strong, advocacy remains essential. Theatre educators must continue to navigate these challenges to ensure that the transformative power of theatre is not diminished. By standing firm in our choices and working collaboratively with stakeholders, we prove that theatre matters – and so does our voice.
Overall, Educators are Satisfied (But Exhausted)
Despite the ever-changing landscape of education, theatre educators remain deeply committed to their work, finding purpose and satisfaction in the impact they have on students.
Satisfaction
In comparison to national job satisfaction rates, which range from 51-63% (Pew Research Center, Conference Board, 2023), theatre educators are significantly more content – a reflection of the meaningful role theatre plays in schools and communities.
Burnout
Of those, some are considering leaving the industry.
EdTA's Action Items
As part of our strategic pillar to amplify the value of educational theatre, EdTA will use the findings from this research to inform our advocacy plan and expand educator support in the coming school year. Because theatre matters, and so do you, we are taking action to ensure that your programs thrive.
Support You and Your Students
Develop a comprehensive resource guide to help you navigate community concerns about planned productions. In the meantime, you can continue to make EdTA aware of censorship issues near you.
Help You Build a Campaign
Highlight key findings from the survey in the annual Theatre in Our Schools (TIOS) campaign in March, offering schools and advocates the tools to elevate these insights in their grassroots efforts.
Advocate on Your Behalf
Your work matters, and we’ll advocate for you at the highest levels. We will use the survey findings to inform our meetings with federal legislators, pushing for theatre-specific credentialing in every state.
Provide Financial Assistance
The Educational Theatre Foundation will continue to offer grants, including the Thespian Growth & Excellence Grant, to help educators build and expand their programs.
Elevate Your Programs
We will position the Premier Communities for Theatre Education recognition as the standard for what a high-quality school theatre program should look like.