EdTA Educational Theatre Association recognizes outstanding individuals who have gone above and beyond their role as a school administrator, demonstrating exemplary support for educational theatre. This year’s Administrator’s Award goes to Shellie Hatch, director of curriculum and assessment at Pasco School District in Pasco, Washington.
Hatch has worked to make theatre funding more equitable across the Pasco School District, particularly at Pasco High School, home to Thespian Troupe 6569. Her advocacy increased the school district’s annual performing arts budget from $500 to $7000 and allowed Troupe 6569 to purchase scripts and rights for their shows with district funding rather than the school’s budget. On top of financial support, Hatch has been instrumental in supporting theatre education beyond Pasco High’s School walls. Last year, when the school approached her about producing a collaborative musical with the other Pasco School District high school, she actively attended production meetings and secured sponsorship that transported 1200 Pasco Middle School students to the collaborative musical performance.
Pasco High School drama and English teacher Heather Johnson, said, “I wish everyone was lucky to have someone like Shellie advocating for them and their program at the district level. Shellie is positive, genuine, smart, and passionate. She continues to support us daily and is always willing to speak up on behalf of theatre in our schools.”
