iTheatrics Gets 'Standing Ovation' from National Association

The New York City-based iTheatrics has received the Standing Ovation Award from the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA). The award was developed to recognize a corporation or organization that makes significant contributions to theatre education on the national level through philanthropic efforts or its programs and activities.

iTheatrics is a leading international authority on musical theatre for young people and has been a defining force in the educational theatre movement.

In presenting the award EdTA executive director, Julie Cohen Theobald cited iTheatrics's involvement with EdTA and the field of school theatre. "Together," she said, "we developed and launched the JumpStArt Theatre pilot program to build sustainable musical theatre programs in underserved middle schools where there were none."

She added, "Over the past couple years, our relationship has developed into a valuable and trusted partnership. iTheatrics is well regarded by our membership as a company who supports and gives back to the field of theatre education."

Timothy Allen McDonald, iTheatrics founding CEO, accepted the award at this summer's International Thespian Festival. Regarding the honor he said, "iTheatrics seeks partners who are forward thinking and passionate about building sustainable musical theatre programs in schools everywhere. We are thrilled to partner with EdTA, an organization that not only pioneered theatre education, but continues to be a leader in the field."

The JumpStart program is now entering its second cycle and has attracted the support and encouragement of the larger Cincinnati community.

In addition to JumpStart, iTheatrics has developed and implemented programs to create and sustain the theatre arts in schools with the President's Committee on Arts and the Humanities, New York City's Department of Education, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, McGraw-Hill Education and NBC Universal.

In 2017, iTheatrics and EdTA will partner in the launch of the Junior Theater Festival West in Sacramento, CA. JTF West will bring students, teachers, and Broadway professionals together to celebrate outstanding student Theater Productions and the transformative power of theater, and will have a day devoted exclusively to Junior Thespian troupes and their activities. iTheatrics' flagship Junior Theater Festival event is held annually in Atlanta in January with over 5,000 participants.

Other notable contributions include iTheatrics' role in adapting student versions of musicals and plays for young people to perform, making putting on a show more accessible for thousands of Thespian troupes and hundreds of thousands of students.

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