Six Schools Receive Grants from New National Program

The Educational Theatre Association announced the award of the first New Troupe Charter Grants, just 30 days after the program was launched. The program is dedicated to bringing honor and recognition to theatre students in financially challenged communities through access to the International Thespian Society. The initial gift to fund the program has been made by Tams-Witmark Music Library.

The International Thespian Society is an honorary organization for high school and middle school theatre students located at more than four thousand affiliated schools across America, Canada, and abroad. Students inducted into the Honor Society are eligible for leadership opportunities, college scholarships, and invitations to perform at state and national venues.

The New Troupe Charter Grants program is enabling qualifying schools to fund the charter of an International Thespian Society troupe and induct up to ten students. Qualifications include a school-wide Title I designation and the production of at least one show per year for the two school years preceding the year of the grant application. The grants are for the 2016-17 school year.

The schools receiving New Troupe Charter Grants are:

• California
  • Jurupa Hills High School, Fontana
  • MIra Monte High School, Bakersfield
• Illinois
  • Frankfort Community High School, West Frankfort
• Kentucky
  • Russell County High School, Russell Springs
  • Western Middle School, Louisville
• Texas
  • Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Senior High School, Houston

Sargent Aborn, the President of Tams-Witmark said, "Anyone who has sat in a theatre audience and has been transported beyond the realm of time and space can attest to the power and possibility of drama. In the perpetual fight to keep arts in schools, powerful voices have spoken out for the benefits of providing theatre arts for children, among which are: self-expression, self-knowledge, creativity, social awareness and, of course, education. Tams-Witmark is proud to be a catalyst in bringing theatre to children.... especially children who have the most to gain and benefit from its limitless effects."

Tams-Witmark has been a leader in theatrical licensing for over ninety years, and represents some of the most celebrated titles in musical theatre. Thousands of schools, community theatres and professional organizations present Tams-Witmark musicals each year.

Julie Cohen Theobald, Executive Director of the Educational Theatre Association, "We are delighted with the immediate response. Educators know this opportunity is valuable for students as an affirmation of the value of their artistic work. Our aim is to grow our funding and encourage more school theatre programs. Theatre provides a home where students can feel accepted, valued, and part of something larger than themselves. We are deeply grateful to Tams-Witmark for pioneering this effort with us."

She added, "We know from research and experience that students involved in the arts have better grades and are more likely to attend college," citing research conducted by Professor James Catterall, of the Centers for Research on Creativity, published in 2009 that found that high poverty students with sustained involvement in theatre show substantial improvement in reading proficiency, gains in self-concept and motivation, and higher levels of empathy for others. Doing Well and Doing Good by Doing Art, 2009

Catterall is currently conducting research for a pilot program that EdTA is spearheading to bring musical theatre into middle schools that previously did not have a performing arts program.

The grants are for the 2016-17 school year and limited funding is still available. More detailed information about the New Troupe Charter Grants program and application process is on the EdTA website at schooltheatre.org/newtroupegrants.

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