Most decisions about theatre in the school curriculum are made at the local level by principals, superintendents, and school boards. Be your school's advocate with tools from the EdTA Advocacy Toolbox.
Getting started
Establish a positive and open communication channel with your school administrators.
Make a point to learn when your school board meets and who its members are.
Find out who the local decision makers are and reach out to them: the mayor, district school superintendent, city council, chamber of commerce, superintendent, etc.
Build a network of supporters that you can call on when there is a need for quick action.
Teachers: Contact other ITS troupe directors in your district to help organize a long-term theatre education advocacy strategy.
Students: Participate in the year-round Theatre In Our Schools (TIOS) campaign, an effort to promote awareness of theatre education's value and purpose in schools across America, culminating in a month-long celebration in March. Encourage your fellow Thespians to do the same, and begin planning how you can promote TIOS at public events--shows, school board meetings, and your Thespian conferences. TIOS is jointly sponsored by the Educational Theatre Association and the American Alliance for Theatre & Education.
Community members: Attend school board meetings and request to get on the agenda. Use the materials below to advocate for starting a theatre program or growing resources for the theatre program.
If you know of additional resources we should add to this page please reach out to [email protected].