Stage Directions: The fifth annual Stage Directions High School Theatre Honors Program is now underway! Students, teachers, parents, volunteers—and anyone else—can nominate worthy high school programs from the U.S. or Canada at www.stage-directions.com/tophighschools. The Stage Directions High School Theatre Honors Program celebrates the high achievers in high school theatre, the programs that go above and beyond to teach exceptional theatre skills and put on an excellent show. But be sure and hurry! The deadline for submitting a school is Sept. 16!
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4 comments:
I think it's great that Stage DIrections does this kind of competition. The article was right, for most people I know their love of theater began in high school. By running this competition Stage DIrections is encouraging high schools to promote the arts and teaching students that the arts are an important thing and a viable lifestyle.
I came from a 3300-kid public school in Florida where budget cuts (especially for the arts) were happening left and right. There were a lot of times where we felt like we had to fight tooth and nail to keep our arts programs in schools, so much so that we had a rally at the state capitol for that very reason. This kind of competition allows for schools who, despite money loss, still produce great theater and enrich the community and promote the arts.
There is generally such an emphasis on sports in high schools, that it is really nice to have a recognition for theatre and the arts. Kids often don't get the support and help to pursue the arts like they do with sports or academics in general. With a competition like this that will highlight theatre programs, it gets kids more involved and helps support their passion.
I doubt anyone will read this, but just to play the devils advocate Id like to comment on what Tiffany said. I agree - high schools usually do place emphasis on sports and academic in relative to the arts.. but to me that makes sense. At my high school - and all public high schools from the DFW area - the type of kid that will play sports versus act in a play is very different. The kid who is drama club is (generally) well read and knows what they want in life and can operate themselves. The kid who wants to play sports is at risk to drop out any minute. By having a successful athletic department - your allowing kids to have an opportunity to want to go to school that normally would never make it through all four years. I had friends who did everything in their power to be eligible for game days for football. Using sports to enhance the academics is an effective tool to educate those who dont have the home support or self drive the typical drama student may have. Funding the athletic department is funding education.
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