Author: Omasta, Matt

Publication Year:

Media Type: Periodical (article)

Summary:

Participants provided data about their curricular theatre programs; play production activities; student and parental involvement; faculty demographics, training, and employment conditions; performance facilities; production resources and new technology used; and program finances. Teachers and administrators detailed their views on the purposes,roles, and values of educational theatre and drama. Questions probed the types of social issues that theatre educators explored with their students through coursework and production experiences, and discussed the challenges that can arise when engaged in such work.

Abstract:

The 2012 Survey of Theatre Education in United States High Schools, is a study sponsored by the Educational Theatre Association and Utah State University. In the survey, USU researcher Dr. Matt Omasta and a staff of USU graduate students queried school administrators and theatre educators about specific aspects of theatre education. Omasta’s team invited all regular public schools in the United States with an enrollment of at least 200 to participate in the survey. Responses were tallied from 1,245 of them.

The print edition of the study features reports (written by Omasta) on educational program models, the purpose and impact of theatre programs, theatre faculty and staff, curriculum, play production, and basic survey methodology details. The issue also includes commentary by outside researchers Dawn Ellis and Johnny Saldaña.

This supplemental online content will include data on social issues and play selection, technology and new media, facilities, an in-depth methodology report, and a comparison of the 2012 study to EdTA’s 1991 Theatre Education in United States High Schools survey and Joseph Peluso’s Survey of the Status of Theatre in United States High Schools (1970).

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Performing Arts Organizations, Creative Youth Development, Arts Education, Advocacy