Students at South Middle School are taking center stage this March as they join a national movement advocating for the importance of theatre education in schools. As part of Theatre in Our Schools Month (TIOS), members of International Thespian Society (ITS) Troupe 11811 are launching a series of initiatives to highlight the benefits of theatre programs and push for greater access to arts education.
The students are engaging in a range of activities to promote theatre’s role in academic and personal development. Their efforts include planning youth theatre performances at elementary schools, recruiting new theatre club members, and raising funds for theatre scholarships in collaboration with the Redwood Foundation. Additionally, the troupe is participating in local parades, addressing school board members on the importance of theatre education, and applying for grants to secure funding for technical theatre equipment. A special highlight of their advocacy work is the upcoming spring play, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Your Teachers (but were afraid to ask) by Jason Pizzarello, which will be dedicated to their educators.
The International Thespian Society, a theatre honor society for middle and high school students, encourages young thespians to take an active role in promoting the arts within their schools and communities. Theatre in Our Schools Month provides an opportunity for students, parents, school administrators, and local leaders to unite in support of making theatre education accessible to all. Advocates emphasize that theatre instruction helps students develop essential 21st-century skills, including communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. It also fosters emotional growth and social development, which are crucial for students as they transition into adulthood.
Studies have shown the impact of theatre education on academic achievement. According to The College Board, students who took four years of arts classes in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than those who had less than a year of arts instruction. However, access to theatre education remains unequal, with only 28 percent of high schools in high-poverty areas offering theatre instruction, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Public support for arts education remains strong. A 2018 poll by Americans for the Arts revealed that 72 percent of Americans believe the arts help unify communities across age, race, and ethnicity. Additionally, more than 90 percent of respondents agreed that students should receive arts education in elementary, middle, and high school.
The students of ITS Troupe 11811 invite the community to support their efforts and see them in action at their spring production. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Your Teachers (but were afraid to ask) will be performed on May 6th and 7th at 7:00 PM at South Middle School. Tickets are available for $5 and can be purchased online or in advance at the school office.
As these young advocates bring theatre education into the spotlight, they are demonstrating the power of the arts to shape lives, inspire change, and build stronger communities.
