Welcome to IDEA: the newly branded  Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) committee of the Texas Thespians Education Network (TTEN). Previously the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task force, the IDEA committee has been active since 2022 and continues to offer actionable, data-driven programming and resources every year!

OUR MISSION: The IDEA committee is committed to providing actionable resources, that promote best practice, with a focus on equitable access for all Texas theatre students. Through continued education, advocacy, and collaboration, we strive to create and support opportunities where every member of our community feels supported, empowered, and inspired to improve on and off the stage.

OUR VISION: We envision a theatrical network where every individual - student, educator, and community members - feels seen, heard, and celebrated. Our goal is a future where Texas theatre education reflects the full spectrum of human experience, and where inclusive practices are not the exception, but the norm. Through intentional leadership, equitable opportunities, and culturally responsive storytelling, we aspire to build a dynamic and compassionate arts environment that uplifts all voices and fosters belonging on every stage, in every classroom, and throughout our state.
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COMMITTEE GOALS: 
  1. Create actionable items that respond to needs outlined through routine data collection that improve the quality and equity of theatre education across all diverse communities of educators and students in Texas.
  2. Provide new initiatives and workshops every year with a common focus throughout the Texas Thespian festival  and conference season.
  3. Accumulate a bank of data-driven extension resources that compliment in-person programming to support Texas theatre education beyond Texas Thespians events.​
Texas Thespians Education Network Links
​Fine Arts Administrator Day
Local Advocacy
State & National Advocacy
Premiere Communities for Theatre Education
Student Ambassadors ​
Texas Theatre Scholars
​DemocracyWorks
Theatre in Our Schools Month
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA)
Advocacy Resources
Playwrights of Color Resource
 For more information on the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) committee, contact Baxter Chaney and Phillip Taylor.
Workshop Series
​2025 - 2026
Now is the time to choose your path (or all three)! For our 2025 - 2026 festival season, IDEA is happy to offer a selection of pathways to best support our teachers in the classroom, and on the stage. Our series' are geared toward providing Texas theatre teachers focused resources, training, and space to grow in each topic. In previous years, we have worked on and began to build up resources geared toward ​Accommodations for the Theatre Classroom and Beyond and Foundations for Partner Theatre. This year, we are happy to add Inclusive Practices for the Texas Theatre Classroom to support our teachers in building, maintaining, and promoting a space where ALL students can thrive.
Accommodations for the
​Theatre Classroom and Beyond
2025
COMING SOON. . .
2023
Wild Uncharted Waters: Simplifying Student Accommodations for Your Theatre Classroom
Foundations
​for Partner Theatre
2025
COMING SOON. . .
2024
Partner Theatre: A Beginners Guide
*NEW* Inclusive Practices for the Texas Theatre Classroom
2025
COMING SOON. . .

BEYOND
​for Texas Thespian Monthly
​2025 - 2026

We challenge you to think BEYOND! For our 2025 -2026 festival season, IDEA is excited to offer a new resource through Texas Thespians Monthly newsletter. Every month, unique experiences and communities are locally, nationally, and globally highlighted for recognition (i.e. March is Theatre in our Schools month, etc.). IDEA aims at giving you a resource to think beyond just one month and support you with how to engrain responsive practices into the culture of your Theatre classroom and program every day.

Previous Texas Thespians Monthly IDEA and Advocacy Resources:

  1. TTM - March 2025 | Center Stage: How HBCU Theatre Programs Inspire Black Creatives & Spotlight on Black Theatre Texas Educator Trailblazers
  2. TTM - September 2024 | Hispanic Heritage Month
  3. TTM - April 2024 | Accessibility in Theatre: How to Make Your Productions More Inclusive!
  4. TTM - March 2024 | Ways to Increase Inclusivity and Equity in the Theatre Classroom - Collaboration with People Like Us
  5. TTM - February 2024 | Celebrating the Rich Tapestry of Black History Contributions to Theatre
  6. TTM - December 2023 | Promoting Accessibility in the Theatre Classroom - Collaboration with NTPA Starcatchers
  7. TTM - September 2023 | Hispanic Heritage Month & Deaf Awareness Month
  8. TTM - June 2023 | Y’all Means All
  9. TTM - March 2023 | Theatre’s Impact on Low-Income Communities
  10. TTM - February 2023 | Black Theatre History of Texas, HBCU’s of Texas, and 30 BIPOC Plays
  11. TTM - January 2023 | Uniting the Stage and the Classroom: The Importance of Theatre and SEL in Education