Issued by Jay Gerlach, Executive Director, Educational Theatre Association CINCINNATI (October 13, 2026) – The Educational Theatre Association stands with the students of South Grand Prairie High School’s Thespian Troupe
A lifelong Thespian and education leader, Gerlach becomes EdTA’s eighth executive director and will also serve as President of the Educational Theatre Foundation. The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) Board of
Issued jointly by Richard Frazier-Sostillio, EdTA Board President, and Jay Gerlach, Interim Executive Director CINCINNATI (August 27, 2026) — The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is extremely disappointed to learn that
Surviving the First Year of Teaching! Whether you’re entering the classroom for the first time ever or are an early-career educator still getting your bearings, teaching theatre can often feel
As a theatre educator, advocacy can sometimes feel like an abstract concept, something reserved for policy experts, state leaders, or people with time you simply don’t have. But most theatre
The 2026 Festival will feature an expanded Main Stage lineup that reflects the breadth of school theatre today. The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA), producer of the International Thespian Festival (ITF),
By Amber Friel, NAfME Communications Manager, Advocacy and Public Policy After months of intense advocacy and lingering uncertainty, the much-anticipated Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor–HHS–Education appropriations bill has been signed
On why theatre class matters—and how it changes lives offscreen When Stranger Things fans met Ms. Harris in season five, they were meeting more than just a new character in
The Arts Education Alliance is sounding the alarm over the Trump Administration’s recent decision to move several major U.S. Department of Education (ED) programs to other federal agencies through six
The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) today announced that the International Thespian Festival (ITF), the premier gathering of middle and high school theatre students and educators, will relocate to Louisville, Kentucky
World-Class Theatre, Now Streaming to Your Classroom A guide to accessing and using the National Theatre Collection through your EdTA membership. As part of our new partnership with the National
On a bright day in Washington, D.C., over 100 theatre educators, students, and advocates from 20 different states gathered for the Educational Theatre Association’s (EdTA) Advocacy Day 2025. The goal:
Stand Up for Arts Education: Oppose Federal Budget Cuts On May 30, President Trump released full details of his administration’s FY 2026 budget proposal. Cuts to federal education, including the
A Legacy of Leadership, Laughter, and Love for Theatre The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) community is celebrating the life of a beloved leader, mentor, and friend—Gloria McIntyre, who passed away
Twenty-Six Schools Set to Bring One-Acts to the International Thespian Festival Each year, International Thespian Society chapters across the country carefully evaluate an array of one-act plays, ultimately selecting an
A Main Stage Production at ITF 2025 The International Thespian Festival (ITF) Main Stage showcases talented theatre programs and Thespians from around the country as they perform diverse productions ranging
A Main Stage Production at ITF A trip to the International Thespian Festival (ITF) is an opportunity to connect with Thespians and theatre educators from around the world, hone your
A Main Stage Production at ITF 2025 The International Thespian Festival (ITF) is where the future of theatre starts. Each year, talented Thespians, directors, and programs from around the country
A Main Stage Production at ITF 2025 Each year, the Main Stage at the International Thespian Festival (ITF) dazzles audiences with a diverse lineup of exceptional high school theatre from
A Main Stage Production at ITF 2025 The International Thespian Festival (ITF) Main Stage celebrates theatre programs from around the country as they showcase their hard work and dedication. It’s
A Main Stage Production at ITF 2025 Main Stage performances are one of the highlights of attending the International Thespian Festival (ITF). It’s an opportunity to bring unique productions and
A Main Stage Production at ITF 2025 Main Stage performances at the International Thespian Festival (ITF) are a celebration of the hard work and creativity of talented Thespians and theatre
A Main Stage Production at ITF 2025 Each year, the International Thespian Festival (ITF) Main Stage becomes a celebration of outstanding work from high school theatre programs across the country.
In theatre, every detail matters. From the sparkle of the costumes to the way the lights hit the stage, each element contributes to the magic that captivates an audience. Among
EdTA chapters carry out the organization’s mission locally. Each chapter has a chapter director who serves as the liaison between the chapter and the national office. Chapter directors are either
