The Educational Theatre Association has revealed its first-ever cohort of Premier Communities for Theatre Education, a distinction aimed at recognizing excellence in school theatre education. Schools applying for the honor must show that their programs are rooted in EdTA's Opportunity to Learn Standards, and that they meet or exceed standards established in the National Core Arts Standards in theatre. Awarded schools will hold the distinction for three years.

"EdTA celebrates the community effort it takes to build and sustain a quality theatre program," says EdTA Executive Director Dr. Jennifer Katona. "The Premier Communities for Theatre Education distinction recognizes the work done by the entire school or district—from administrators to teachers to students and parents—to ensure a safe and robust education in theatre is available to all students. We are thrilled to celebrate this first cohort of schools and look forward to continuing to recognize high quality programs in future years."

See the full list of schools receiving the 2022-2025 Premier Communities for Theatre Education distinction:

Academy for Academics and Arts, Huntsville, Ala.
Canyon View High School, Waddell, Ariz.
Fullerton Union High School. Fullerton, Calif.
MOT Charter School, Middletown, Del.
Osceola County High School for the Arts, Kissimmee, Fla.
Kennesaw Mountain High School, Kennesaw, Ga.
Floyd Central High School, Floyds Knobs, Ind.
New Albany High School, New Albany, Ind.
Topeka West High School, Topeka, Kan.
Dighton Rehoboth Regional High School, North Dighton, Mass.
Liberty Public School District, Liberty, Mo.
Gaston Christian School, Gastonia, N.C.
Fargo North High School, Fargo, N.D.
Williston High School, Williston, N.D.
Cedar Creek High School, Egg Harbor City, N.J.
Rye Neck High School, Mamaroneck, N.Y.
Long Island High School for the Arts, Syosset, N.Y.
Lake Ridge Academy, North Ridgeville, Ohio
Parkland High School, Allentown, Pa.
Alvin ISD, Alvin, Texas
Forney ISD, Forney, Texas
Prosper ISD, Prosper, Texas
Rock Ridge High School, Ashburn, Va.
Eastlake High School, Sammamish, Wash.
Sehome High School, Bellingham, Wash.

"Providing this kind of recognition is more crucial now than ever," adds Katona. “It provides validation for theatre programs coming out of the pandemic, and at a moment when school censorship and curriculum legislation are constantly in the news and on educators’ minds."

Applications for the 2023-2024 school year will be accepted August 1-January 31, 2024. For more information, visit SchoolTheatre.org.