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Kids HeaderEvery student should have access to theatre, taught by qualified educators as a vital part of a well-rounded education.

The Educational Theatre Association is dedicated to supporting educators. EdTA provides professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition. No matter where you are in your career – from the theatre education major just starting out to the most experienced theatre teacher – EdTA can work for you!

Theatre Teachers and Professionals Thrive with EdTA

Joining the Educational Theatre Association provides you with professional support and outstanding educational and recognition programs for teachers, students, artists, and arts advocates.

EdTA supports theatre educators everywhere with free teaching resources including sample  Click to Teach curriculum packages perfect for online learning and more.

Members enjoy the added benefits of detailed models of assessment with samples of student work, curriculum planning resources,  a robust lesson plan library, SEL tools and monthly professional learning webinars archived for on demand access. 

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Grants for Schools

The Educational Theatre Association and its philanthropic arm, the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) offer financial support to educators, troupes, and schools who wish to participate in the organization’s activities and events, including the International Thespian Festival and EdTA’s annual Theatre Education Conference. In addition, special one-time-only grants are available for school theatre programs struggling to rebuild after the pandemic. 

Equity and Access

EdTA believes that every child deserves access to theatre in their school as part of a well-rounded education. The Educational Theatre Foundation’s (ETF’s) purpose is to provide financial support to enhance theatre education and to expand access to school theatre programs for every child. Programs like JumpStart Theatre and Pathway create sustainable theatre arts programs in underserved schools and open doors to opportunities that students in these communities don’t traditionally have. 

Theatre Teachers Hub

Membership Types to Explore

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Thespian Troupe Director

As an International Thespian Society troupe director, your connection to EdTA is more than just a membership – it’s an ongoing investment in you and in your students. Recognizing your students’ achievements in educational theatre is an important part of any theatre teacher’s job, and chartering a Thespian troupe at your school is an easy way to become a visible presence in your school community. PLUS, as troupe director, you also receive all the benefits of Individual Membership in EdTA!

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Individual Professional Membership

Joining the Educational Theatre Association provides you with professional support and outstanding educational and recognition programs for teachers, students, artists, and arts advocates. Members can tap into a top-of-the-line online learning center brimming with webinars, curricula, lesson plans, assessment models, and more! And with virtual and in-person networking opportunities, a career center, advocacy resources, and even discounts and royalty adjustments for school plays, EdTA offers everything you need to become the best theatre teacher you can be!

Teacher Tips, Trends & News

Actors from Stone Crossed holding weapons
high school plays

Stone Crossed

The Stone Age musical now available for educational licensing. New original musical

Read More »

What Teachers Say...

The great part about having a Thespian troupe at your school is [the students] get recognition both at school and in the wider community – having a nationally recognized organization say that they're doing excellent and quality work. They also have networking opportunities with other students. Plus, the scholarship money that they're elligible to audition for; the colleges and universities that are open to them... So many, many student benefits.
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Bob Henrichs
Director, Troupe 6547, Lincoln Southwest High School, Nebraska
I do have to tell you what a lifesaver your tools have been for me…. with COVID issues thrown in, this has been the hardest 2 years of my life professionally. If I didn’t know those options were there, I’m pretty sure I would have thrown in the towel a while ago. Thank you for spearheading such a helpful resource!
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Suzanne Maguire
Glover Middle School Theatre Teacher

Theatre Education Community

EdTA’s Theatre Education Community forum is a free, public, online discussion forum dedicated to the field of theatre education. All experience levels are welcome to participate in the forum by creating an account with a valid email. You can be a brand-new theatre teacher or a lighting designer on Broadway! You’ll find discussion forums, news blogs, libraries of valuable resources, and most important, other theatre teachers like you. If you have a question and need advice or want to give advice, the Theatre Education Community is for you! Below is a sample of some of the fun conversations happening right now!

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