Educational Theatre Association

06/07/2026

Tonight, Broadway takes center stage. As we celebrate the Tony Awards, we also celebrate the theatre teachers, students, troupes, and school programs where so many Broadway dreams first begin. To every Thespian watching tonight: keep creating, keep learning, keep showing up, and keep telling stories that matter. The future of theatre is already in rehearsal.

06/03/2026

Ready to make the most of your Theatre Education Conference (TEC) experience this July?

Before TEC even begins, join iTheatrics for an immersive pre-conference boot camp all about creating, cultivating, and maintaining your musical theatre programs.

We're thrilled to partner for this event and can't wait to connect with a community of passionate educators! Secure your spot today at tec.schooltheatre.org.

05/22/2026

How does a great musical find its shape? At this summer’s Theatre Education Conference, legendary composer John Kander joins us for a special session: The Art of Collaboration.
One of the great collaborators in the American theatre, Kander will discuss how story informs music, how music works in conversation with lyrics, and how collaboration shapes a production from its earliest ideas to the stage.

For theatre educators, this is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the artists whose work has helped define the American musical (Cabaret, Chicago) and to bring that insight back to students learning not only how to perform but also how to listen, build, revise, and create together. Join us at TEC for The Art of Collaboration with John Kander and David Thompson.

Space is limited. Register now: tec.schooltheatre.org

05/22/2026

The voices in this video represent a few of the 11 schools from across the country who received the Suffs: The Young Are at the Gates Grant, presented in partnership with Educational Theatre Foundation and Music Theatre International — and one year later, we’re still celebrating the impact of this opportunity. 💜

Recently, a compilation of grant recipient schools performing selections from Suffs was featured during the Town Hall celebration of Suffs Musical on PBS alongside creator Shaina Taub , highlighting the power of young artists carrying this music, message, and movement forward.

And the story keeps going: this summer, Indiana All-State Thespians will perform Suffs at the International Thespian Festival!

We’re inspired by every school that participated, and thrilled to see the journey continue. Thank you to every grant recipient for reminding us why these stories matter and that the young are, indeed, at the gates!

05/20/2026

We're proud to announce the 20 schools named recipients of this year's Disney on Broadway School of Excellence grant, a program in collaboration with the Educational Theatre Foundation, Disney Theatrical Group and Music Theatre International.

🎉Congratulations to:

🔹Advanced Learning Academy at Fox Tech High School – San Antonio, TX
🔹Cairo High School – Cairo, GA
🔹Calvary Christian School – Columbus, GA
🔹Desert Edge High School – Goodyear, AZ
🔹Edward H. White High School – Jacksonville, FL
🔹Falls Lake Academy – Creedmoor, NC
🔹Hedgesville High School – Hedgesville, WV
🔹Hickory High School – Chesapeake, VA
🔹Horizon West Middle School – Windermere, FL
🔹Howell Middle School South – Howell, NJ
🔹I.S. 78 Roy H. Mann – Brooklyn, NY
🔹Jesús Moroles Expressive Arts Vanguard – Dallas, TX
🔹Jule F. Sumner High School – Riverview, FL
🔹Lincoln High School – Wisconsin Rapids, WI
🔹Mandeville High School – Mandeville, LA
🔹Munster High School – Munster, IN
🔹Oscar Smith High School – Chesapeake, VA
🔹Salina Central High School – Salina, KS
🔹Silver Creek High School – Longmont, CO
🔹Southside Christian School – Simpsonville, SC

Learn more about this program here! https://foundation.schooltheatre.org/grants/production-grants/school-of-excellence/

05/15/2026

At this summer's Theatre Education Conference, theatre educators will have the chance to learn directly from some of the artists, designers, directors, choreographers, and casting professionals shaping the Broadway stage.

Join Tony Award winner Danny Burstein, Tony Award winner and Theatre Hall of Fame member Ken Billington, Kevin Metzger-Timson of The TRC Company, five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, and Tony Award-winning scenic designer Beowulf Boritt for special sessions designed to bring Broadway insight directly into the classroom, rehearsal room, and school theatre.

From character work and casting to lighting, choreography, direction, and scenic design, these sessions offer theatre educators a rare opportunity to learn from the people behind some of Broadway’s most memorable productions.

This is what TEC is all about: professional inspiration, practical tools, and a room full of educators who believe theatre changes lives.

Space is running out! Register now: tec.schooltheatre.org

05/14/2026

What really happens inside a Broadway casting office? At this summer’s Theatre Education Conference, Kevin Metzger-Timson, Partner and Casting Director at The TRC Company, joins us for a special session: Casting on Broadway.

In this session, theatre educators will get a rare inside look at the casting process from one of New York City’s largest casting offices. Kevin will discuss what casting directors are looking for, what elements help an actor move closer to landing the role, and how educators can better prepare students for the professional audition room.

Kevin currently casts the Broadway productions of Death Becomes Her, Boop! The Musical, and Disney’s Aladdin. His additional casting credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast North American Tour, Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway and tour, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bad Cinderella on Broadway, and productions for Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed Musicals, and The Alliance Theatre.

This is a must-attend TEC session for theatre educators who want to help students understand not just how to audition, but how the business of casting actually works.

Space is limited. Register now: tec.schooltheatre.org

05/13/2026

Congratulations to this year's EdTA Award Winners!✨

This year’s awards program includes several new honors celebrating emerging educators, teaching artists, researchers, and alumni whose work is shaping the future of theatre education.

Thank you for your extraordinary work!

The annual honors recognize educators, administrators, researchers, advocates, alumni, and schools for work in theatre education.

05/13/2026

How does lighting help tell the story before a single word is spoken? At this summer’s Theatre Education Conference, Tony Award winner and Theatre Hall of Fame member Ken Billington joins us for a special session: Lights Up on Broadway.

One of Broadway’s most celebrated lighting designers, Billington has designed lighting for more than 100 Broadway productions, including Chicago and Sweeney Todd. In this special TEC session, he will share how lighting shapes mood, reveals character, guides focus, and helps bring a story fully to life on stage.

For theatre educators, this is a rare opportunity to hear from a true master of the craft and bring professional Broadway insight back into the classroom, rehearsal room, and school theatre.

Space is limited. Register now: tec.schooltheatre.org

05/12/2026

How do you build a character that feels truthful, specific, and alive? At this summer’s Theatre Education Conference, Tony Award winner Danny Burstein joins us for a special session on Creating a Character, offering educators an inside look at the craft behind bringing a role from the page to the stage.

With his ninth Tony nomination, Burstein is now the most Tony-nominated male actor in the Tony Awards' history, with a remarkable Broadway career that includes Fiddler on the Roof, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Cabaret, Follies, South Pacific, Gypsy, and more.

This is a can’t-miss TEC session for theatre educators who want to bring professional insight, deeper character work, and a little Broadway magic back to their classrooms and rehearsal rooms.

Space in limited. Register now at https://schooltheatre.org/tec-2026/