Student perceptions of high school theatre programs: An investigation of social issues and call for replication

Abstract

This study investigates students' perceptions of high school theatre programs. Students indicated whether they believed theatre productions could influence audience members' perspectives and opinions and, through an open-ended qualitative questionnaire, shared their views on whether their school should specifically address (or avoid addressing) myriad social issues. The study analyzes demographic and other factors that appear to have influenced participants' responses. Additionally, this study serves as a template for replication studies, which are seriously lacking in the education field (and theatre education in particular), and calls for similar studies to seek the views of students in diverse communities throughout the country.

Connecting the Dots Through Arts-Infused Activities

“…While art courses rank first in terms of availability within school systems (Elpus, 2022), other arts disciplines do not fare so well. School theater courses are offered as an extra-curricular activity for 95% of schools offering theater experiences (Omasta, 2012). As of 2018, only 22 states had adopted media arts standards (National Coalition for Core Arts Standards [NCCAS], 2018) and 16% of schools offer dance (outside of physical education) (Elpus, 2022).…”