Since its beginning in 1929 under the name National Thespians, the Educational Theatre Association has worked to promote and strengthen school theatre by recognizing and rewarding excellence. We strive, alongside educators, advocates, and artists, to make theatre an instrument of lifelong learning. The Association also serves as the eyes, ears, and voice of the school theatre community, advocating a stronger role for theatre education in the curriculum.
We are the professional association for theatre education. The International Thespian Society, our student division, is the world’s largest honor society for theatre arts students. Together, the Educational Theatre Association and the International Thespian Society have been helping build strong school theatre programs for more than seventy-five years.
We understand that as a theatre educator you work to create and offer your students the best available opportunities for growth and development through the arts. The International Thespian Society can help you succeed.
Once your school has chartered a Thespian troupe through the International Thespian Society, the official troupe director may honor qualified students by inducting them into the International Thespian Society.
Whether you are a teacher, an artist or an arts advocate, we have outstanding educational and awards programs for you. We offer you opportunities to sharpen your professional skills and knowledge, learn about the newest available resources, understand changes in arts curriculum and funding, and share your ideas and concerns with a network of your peers.
As a benefit to ITS member schools, we provide a group discount for to adults who contribute to the success of their theatre arts programs. Any adult who is affiliated with an ITS member school with an “active” troupe status may join as an affiliate professional member at a substantially reduced rate. Of course, affiliate professional members will enjoy the same great benefits as all professional members. Affiliate professional membership makes it easier than ever for local troupe co-directors and other adults who serve ITS member schools to have access to EdTA benefits and opportunities.
EdTA pre-professional memberships have been developed to provide support for theatre education majors, but are available to any student who is at least 18 years of age, enrolled as a full-time college, university, or conservatory student, and is interested in making theatre or theatre education an important part of their continuing education or professional life. Pre-professional members receive benefits and opportunities similar to those of professional members at a student-friendly annual membership rate. Proof of current enrollment is required to join and renew membership each year.
EdTA emeritus members are theatre educators who have retired from teaching full-time, have an interest in remaining a part of their professional association, and are interested in keeping theatre a part of the educational curriculum by sharing their considerable knowledge and expertise with fellow EdTA members. They can also support the professional development of present and future theatre educators.
Membership has numerous privileges. Benefits common to troupe directors, professional members, and pre-professional members include:
- Special member rates for purchasing educational resources sold through EdTA
- Special EdTA member rates for all Association events and educational programs
- A subscription to Dramatics magazine (nine issues, September through May)
- A subscription to Teaching Theatre journal (four issues quarterly)
- Access to members-only content on the EdTA website
- Access to network-building opportunities, including our online membership directory
Click on the membership sections and the membership applications links below for additional benefits specific to each membership opportunity. We invite you to come and join us in making theatre an important part of lifelong learning and ensuring that our communities will thrive with cultural and artistic events for generations to come.
How to become a professional member of EdTA
How to become an affiliate professional member of EdTA
How to become a pre-professional member of EdTA
Emeritus membership application
How to start a Thespian troupe
How to start a Junior Thespian troupe |