Premier Communities for Theatre Education

Recognizing schools and school systems that exemplify excellence in theatre education.

Premier Communities for Theatre Education is a distinction from the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) that recognizes schools and school systems that exemplify excellence in theatre education.

Rooted in EdTA’s Opportunity to Learn Standards for Theatre Education, the distinction is awarded to schools and districts that provide teachers and students with the resources to achieve at or above standard as suggested by the National Core Arts Standards in Theatre. The Premier Communities for Theatre Education distinction supports EdTA’s vision that every student will have access to theatre taught by qualified educators as a vital part of a well-rounded education.

Preparing Your Application

To learn more about preparing your Premier Communities application expand each numbered area below, or download the PDF version.

1. Make sure your school representative (the person filling out the application) has access to the following information:

- Student demographics
- Teacher/student ratio
- Course enrollment rates
- Theatre education electives offered at your school
- Theatre teacher qualifications
- Standards used for assessing theatre education
- Theatre facilities at your school
- Budget/funding (including Title I and Title IV usage)

2. Prepare documentation that will need to be uploaded with the application as evidence of adherence to the criteria.

Section C: Curriculum and Curricular Resources

Required Evidence:

Additional Evidence (choose one):

Section E: Staffing Required Evidence (choose one):

Additional Evidence (choose one):

Section F: Resources and Equipment Required Evidence (choose at least one):

Section G: Safety Required Evidence:

Additional Evidence (choose one):

Submitting Your Application

Access the application (must register for a free EdTA account).

Fill out the application any time between August 1 and January 31. The distinction will be awarded each year in April. The distinction is applicable for three years, after which schools must re-apply and submit new documentation to ensure continuing adherence to the qualifications of the distinction.

The application is free for members. Non-members must submit a $129 application fee, which also includes a one-year professional EdTA membership for one teacher at the school.

Texas Educators: Texas Thespians has created a tiered application especially for you to earn dual-distinctions at both the state and EdTA levels. Submission dates for Texas Thespians state applications will be August 1 – January 1, and EdTA applications from January 15 – March 15. Access the Texas versions of both Premier Communities applications. These applications are ONLY for educators in the state of Texas.