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Strengthening the Future of Theatre Education: EdTA's 2024 Annual Meeting Highlights
The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) has had a busy and transformative year, marked by a deepened commitment to supporting theatre educators and advancing the value of theatre education. At the 2024 Annual Meeting, EdTA shared major updates about its strategic vision, new initiatives, and critical governance changes that will shape the future of the organization. Here’s what you need to know about the key developments and how they will impact educators, students, and the theatre education community as a whole.
Theatre Educators Are at the Center of EdTA's Work
One of the foundational updates from the meeting was the introduction of EdTA’s new strategic plan, which sets a clear vision for the future. This plan centers on three strategic pillars:
- Supporting the growth and excellence of theatre educators
- Creating student experiences that foster lifelong engagement in the arts
- Amplifying the value of educational theatre as a crucial part of education
EdTA’s focus on these pillars reflects its belief that theatre educators play a pivotal role in shaping students’ lives. The organization has expanded its resources, including professional development and networking opportunities, to ensure that educators at all stages of their careers have the tools they need to thrive.
Expanding Membership to Serve All Theatre Educators
In a significant move, EdTA has expanded its membership to welcome a broader range of professionals working in theatre education. This includes not only classroom teachers, but also teaching artists, administrators, cultural partners, and even higher education professionals. This inclusive approach ensures that anyone contributing to the educational theatre landscape can access EdTA’s resources and be part of its community. The goal is clear: to unite all theatre educators under one roof, fostering a collective effort to elevate theatre’s role in education.
Mentorship Program to Address Teacher Retention and Burnout
Recognizing the challenges that early-career educators face, EdTA launched a mentorship program designed to pair new theatre teachers with experienced educators. This initiative was a key highlight of the meeting, aimed at addressing the burnout and isolation often felt by theatre teachers, especially those who are the sole theatre educator in their school. The mentorship program will offer critical support, guidance, and resources, creating a network of professionals who can lean on each other in a field where collaboration is key to success.
Advocacy in Action: The State of Theatre Education
EdTA has also stepped up its advocacy efforts, with the release of the inaugural State of Theatre Education report. This report provides a snapshot of the challenges and triumphs facing theatre educators today, and it will serve as a foundation for future advocacy initiatives. Notably, the report highlighted a troubling rise in censorship, with 78% of theatre educators reporting pressure to alter their productions due to political or community concerns. This figure represents a sharp increase from previous years and will be a central focus of EdTA’s advocacy work as the organization fights to protect artistic expression in schools.
Advancing DEIA Initiatives Nationwide
In line with EdTA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA), the organization has been working diligently to ensure that its programs, events, and policies reflect these values at both the national and state levels. Chapters across the country have made significant progress in embedding DEIA principles into their work, creating a more inclusive environment for educators and students alike. EdTA’s DEIA efforts are outlined in detail in their annual report, which offers a comprehensive look at the strides being made in this area.
Strengthening Governance: 2024 Board Updates & Code Changes
A significant portion of the meeting focused on proposed governance changes designed to ensure EdTA’s board structure is equipped to meet the evolving needs of the organization. Board President Krista Carson Elhai and Vice President Richard Frazier outlined several updates aimed at enhancing the board’s efficiency, diversity, and strategic alignment.
Board Composition
One major proposal is to adjust the composition of the board. Currently, the board includes eight elected directors and three appointed directors, with a five-year term for the past president. The proposed change would increase the number of appointed directors to four, providing the board with additional flexibility to recruit members with specialized skills and backgrounds. This adjustment will allow the board to continue representing the diverse perspectives of its membership, while ensuring it has the expertise needed to navigate the complex landscape of arts education.
Vice President & President Selection Process
Another key change involves the process for selecting the board’s vice president and president. Rather than being directly elected by the membership, these roles will be appointed by the board itself. This shift, modeled after practices seen at the chapter level, aims to ensure continuity in leadership and a smoother transition of responsibilities, ultimately strengthening the board’s ability to maintain momentum on long-term strategic goals.
Board Nomination Process
The nominating process for board members is also set to become more streamlined. The current petition process, which allows candidates to bypass the nominating committee with 15 signatures, will be replaced by an appeal system. This change is designed to make elections more equitable and less confusing, while still providing candidates the opportunity to have their voices heard if they feel they were overlooked in the initial selection process.
Partnerships & Philanthropy: The Educational Theatre Foundation
The Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF), EdTA’s philanthropic partner, is continuing to support theatre educators and students through a variety of scholarships, grants, and awards. This year, ETF strengthened its commitment to equity by formalizing a partnership with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which will see proceeds from EdTA events shared between the two organizations. This collaboration represents a powerful alliance that will help support both theatre education and broader arts advocacy initiatives.
Looking Ahead: What's Next For EdTA
As EdTA moves forward, there are several exciting opportunities on the horizon. The International Thespian Festival (ITF) will return in June 2024, co-located with the Theatre Education Conference in Bloomington, Indiana, offering an all-in-one opportunity for educators to learn, connect, and celebrate theatre education. Workshop proposals are currently being accepted, and EdTA encourages educators to take part in shaping the future of theatre education by submitting their ideas.
