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
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
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
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
Details of President Trump’s Executive Order
Like you, we are deeply concerned about recent announcements regarding the significant staffing reduction at the Department of Education. We share your concerns about what this could mean for public
Theatre education is at a pivotal moment, balancing creative triumphs and student impact with pressing challenges for educators, from rising censorship concerns to funding hurdles. Compiling insights from over 1,800
You’ve done it—you chose the perfect play that fits your company, budget, space, and audience. The show is cast, and it’s the first rehearsal. Here you are, standing before a
The power of theatre lies not just in performances, but in the threads that weave students, educators, and their work together. As theatre programs around the country focus on elevating
It is not uncommon for theatre educators to feel like the work of their school theatre programs often takes a backseat to sports programs or other high-profile extracurricular activities. The
6 Tips on the New Education Department Guidance After years of advocacy from the arts education community, multiple meetings with U.S. Department of Education (ED) officials, and bipartisan support from
As a theatre educator, there are plenty of productions, themes, and materials that have become staples of your curriculum. But how many of them offer a chance for students to
As theatre educators face increasing pressure surrounding the shows and topics they introduce on the stage and in the classroom, knowing how to approach “problematic” materials is becoming critically important.
For most theatre educators, the school year is in full swing, and your time is likely caught up planning your show schedule, building sets, and finding new Thespians for your
In theatre, lead roles are often the most coveted by your students, but they’re also a finite opportunity. And while these roles get much of the praise for successful productions
School theatre programs are faced with a range of issues—from finding funding and resources to produce shows, to sourcing relevant and useful professional development for educators. At the 2024 Theatre
Why It Matters Preparing your actors for performance is only one part of all that goes into launching a full-scale production. Scenic elements, lighting, sound, props, makeup, and costumes are
That’s exactly the question Michael Catron and Leo Yu-Ning Chang are planning to answer at their workshop “Beat It Up: Hip-Hop Dance X Stage Combat,” at the International Thespian Festival
Auditoriums. They’re the beloved home for our theatre programs, but also an unknowable Pandora’s box filled with potential safety concerns and liability. For many educators, auditoriums are inherited, meaning you
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. First celebrated in 1979, it has evolved into an opportunity to be inspired by the culture and highlight
There you are in the theatre after the last show—the applause has faded, and the crew has struck the set. Excitement bubbles in your heart as you consider what’s next.
March is Theatre in Our Schools (TIOS) month, an opportunity for thousands of educators and Thespians around the country to celebrate and showcase the transformative power of theatre education. Whether
The power of a successful monologue reveals key details about the character, builds a deeper connection with the audience, and moves the production’s storyline forward. Your Thespian troupe members who
There’s More to Membership Than Meets the Eye When you join EdTA and charter your troupe, you’re connecting with folks who are just as passionate about theatre education as you
Theatre education isn’t one-size-fits-all. Thespians have unique abilities, needs, and backgrounds that influence the way they experience theatre. For many educators, opting for an alternative lesson is often a solution
