Advocating for Theatre In Our Schools Month through Social Media

By: STO Marisa Berrones, Troupe 3376, Midland High School 

Let's start off Theatre In Our Schools Month by going through the first two letters of S.A.U.C.E.: Social Media and Advocacy! We use social media for many hours each day, so it’s only fitting that we use it to our advantage. Let us explain why and how Advocacy and Social Media are so important to our cause. 

WHY DO WE ADVOCATE FOR THEATRE IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH?
As a Texas Thespian it is our job to teach people about theatre and how it benefits our communities. Teaching about theatre can create better opportunities for students who may not have as many chances to do fine arts in middle school and high school. Having Theatre In Our Schools Month declared in cities across Texas allows for a better spread of that information, because we know not every school has a TIOSM. Advocating for March to be declared TIOSM may seem like a job for an STO, but everyone can do it! 

HOW CAN WE ADVOCATE FOR THEATRE IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH?
There are many ways to advocate for your city to declare Theatre In Our Schools Month such as, emailing your superintendent or mayor or meeting with your principal. One of the easiest ways to advocate, and get others to advocate with you, is by using social media! In this day and age most teens use some form of social media, which makes advocacy posts much more likely to be liked, commented on, or reposted. With that, elected officials and people of importance are also more likely to stumble across your online advocating. If you are new to advocacy and uncertain about making your own posts, the Texas Thespians Instagram page is always a great place to start! You can repost and share the many Theatre In Our Schools Month posts, while also learning about how to be a better advocate! Anything can be accomplished using apps like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. These are all great resources to spread the word about TIOSM and many other interesting things about your department or fine arts program!

While this all might seem a little daunting or scary, the STO’s have full faith that you can help us in our cause of getting Theatre In Our Schools Month declared state wide! After all, this important art should be shared with everyone across all four corners of Texas. In fact, it should be shared across all four corners of the world!

Keep busy advocating, 
Your 2021 Texas State Thespian Officers