Why is Theater Needed in Schools?
- Nora Medlock
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
March has recently come to a close, a month that means many things to many people. Spring break trips have been taken by college and high school students alike, Mardi Gras was celebrated, and women's history month was observed. But if you’re anything like me, you spent March seeing countless Instagram posts about another event: Theater in Our Schools month. Theater in Our Schools Month, also referred to as TIOS month, is celebrated annually in March, and serves the purpose of reminding the public about the importance of having free, accessible, and quality theater education. It is an essential time for advocacy for the theater world. But why is theater so crucial to have in schools?
As the American Alliance for Theater and Education shares, the data collected by the College Entrance Examination Board from the Student Description Questionnaire can help us see the difference that participating in the performing arts can do for high school students. when it comes to academic success. Reports from 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005 comparing students in performing arts vs. their peers with no involvement in the arts, found that on the math section of the SAT, students in a drama class scored on average 35.5 higher, out-scoring the national average by 24 points. Students in a drama study or appreciation class scored 26 points higher. This trend can be seen for the writing/reading sections, as well. Drama performance students scored an average of 65.5 points higher, outsourcing the national average by 34 points, and students in drama study or appreciation class scored an average of 55 points higher.
This dramatic increase, along with the fact that reading comprehension skills can skyrocket once students begin to participate in theater, can be attributed to the actual work students are doing within their theater classes. Reading complex greek and shakespearean plays can not only improve students' understanding of literature and texts, but also lead to increased comprehension in math and science fields. The study of plots and characters help students build a better understanding of the books and texts they are reading for English class, or even a confusing scholarly journal they are studying for their science fair project.
Theater can also have an impact on the overall culture of the school. To begin, involvement in the arts encourages students to attend school, whether it be for fear of missing rehearsal, or a plot twist in the play their reading in class. Schools with high arts engagements also have high attendance rates, leading to higher graduation rates, and lower drop-out rates. Students who participate in theater are seen to be three times more likely to earn an attendance award than those who don’t, and tend to face less disciplinary actions than those who don’t. Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health by Kenneth Elpus found that arts students are up to 20% less likely to face an out of school suspension.
Student-to-student interactions are also improved by theater. By building bonds with students through performances and rehearsals, students have a sense of belonging and motivation, causing students to feel happier and more at-ease during the school day. Many popular musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof, Hairspray, and West Side Story educate students on civil injustice, societal gender roles, and, arguably most importantly, the appreciation of different cultures. All of these encourage students to practice empathy, understanding, and improve their overall emotional intelligence, contributing to a better school environment.
Nora Medlock
11th Grade
Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts
Instagram- @nc.medlock
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