The Canyon View Theatre program has been named a premier theater community for theater education by the Educational Theatre Association.
The Educational Theatre Association recognizes individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide theater access and education to all students. This is the first year the EdTA has had this distinction, and Canyon View was the only one in the state to receive it.
According to Kendra Schroeder, Canyon View’s theater director, “Being recognized with this honor is a powerful demonstration to our community that we have the best to offer in terms of theater education and how the school and the district support theater education.”
To qualify for the distinction, Schroeder answered detailed questions about funding, teacher development and evaluation, theater class curriculum and participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the theater program.
The program hopes to use this distinction to recruit Agua Fria School District students interested in making theater a part of their future careers.
The theater program is a relatively new program. The after-school program was started two and a half years ago and already has 60 students, and with this new distinction, “the program can continue to grow and get more and more students involved as the years go on,” Schroeder said.
Research affirms the educational and social-emotional benefits of participating in school theater. Students who engaged in an after-school musical theater demonstrated improved confidence, creativity, resiliency, responsibility, collaboration and a sense of community. Another study found that students who received drama-based instruction made better connections to the curricular content. Ninety-five percent of school administrators believe theater experiences improve students’ overall academic skills.
“EdTA’s vision is that every student will have access to theater education taught by qualified educators as part of a well-rounded education,” said Allison Dolan, chief content officer for EdTA.
“We’re proud to honor Canyon View for helping to achieve that vision.”