What theater covers
Theater education covers acting and improvisation, play-making and scriptwriting, and the technical crafts — set, lighting, sound and costume. Beyond the stage, it is one of the best builders of confidence, public speaking, empathy and collaboration in all of school.
A role for every student
Theater isn't only for performers. Productions need writers, directors, designers, technicians and stage managers — so there is a meaningful role for nearly every kind of student, on stage or behind it.
The four artistic processes
Theater follows the arts processes — create, perform, respond and connect — valuing both performance and thoughtful reflection on it.
National Core Arts Standards
Theater follows the NCAS processes, and some schools offer a full theater-arts pathway or IB Theatre.
How it's measured
Theater is assessed through performance and production work, portfolios and reflection, plus competitions and festivals in many schools.
Where it leads
Theater builds confidence, public speaking and teamwork transferable to any career, and it leads into performance, production, film and media, plus arts education.
How families can help
- Encourage storytelling, role-play and reading aloud
- Attend plays and talk about them afterward
- Support auditions and productions, on stage or backstage
- Value the courage it takes to perform
Related resources
See the Arts Education toolkit, the arts lesson library, Public Speaking, and Music and Dance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is theater only about acting? No. It also teaches writing, design, lighting, sound and stage management — there is a role for every kind of student.
- How does theater help shy students? Drama builds confidence and public speaking gradually and supportively, and many quiet students thrive in it.
- Does theater lead anywhere career-wise? Beyond performance, it develops communication and collaboration valued in every field, plus production, film, media and education paths.
- What is IB Theatre? An International Baccalaureate course in theater that combines performance, production and analysis for college credit and recognition.
- What skills does theater build? Confidence, public speaking, empathy, collaboration and creativity — some of the most transferable skills in school.