Bettendorf, Iowa
William Myatt’s association with EdTA started with his induction into Thespian Troupe 1265 at Maquoketa (Iowa) High School.
After graduating from the University of Northern Iowa, Mr. Myatt taught theatre and chartered a Thespian troupe at Burlington High School in Wisconsin. He returned to Iowa in 1985 and since then has taught theatre and worked as a speech coach at several schools. He is the theatre director at Pleasant Valley High School and the sponsor of Troupe 856.
Mr. Myatt expresses his belief in EdTA’s mission of lifelong learning in numerous ways, including annual performances by his students for district elementary schools, which are now part of the third grade curriculum in the Pleasant Valley School district. Mr. Myatt and his students also present an annual children’s show with student-run workshops that cover basic theatre skills. And they offer a free performance of their school’s spring musical to the senior citizens of their community.
Mr. Myatt is also active at the state level: he served as secretary, vice president, and president for the Iowa High School Speech Association. He developed the approved curriculum for his acting and theatre arts classes, and with the Iowa State Theatre Arts Committee established a state curriculum called Iowa Framework for Theatre.
Mr. Myatt’s work for EdTA includes serving as the Iowa chapter director from 1990-92, serving concurrently as a member of the Board of Directors and International Thespian Officers adult liaison from 1996-1999, and serving as vice president and president from 2001-2005. He was part of a group that developed and reviewed theatre arts curriculum that led to the first set of national standards for arts education.
