Advocacy: Supporting Your Drama Program

Every drama teacher knows that advocating for their students, programs, and productions is essential. Even the most successful programs can be misunderstood or undervalued. The first step is recognizing the importance of your program and being able to articulate its impact. Drama classrooms teach far more than performance skills: they cultivate leadership, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, confidence, empathy, and problem-solving. Being able to describe these outcomes in a way that administration, colleagues, and the community understand is critical for building long-term support.

Once you recognize your program’s value, advocacy becomes a strategic process. Start by setting realistic goals for your program, such as increasing enrollment, expanding class offerings, or enhancing community outreach. Break these goals into small, achievable steps and involve your administration where possible. Collaboration across departments and the school community strengthens your visibility and support, whether that’s co-creating cross-curricular projects; integrating the arts into other classrooms; or showcasing student work through visual displays, festivals, or community events. Making your program and its outcomes visible ensures that others can see the skills and growth happening every day.

Effective advocacy requires intentional communication, consistent celebration of achievements, and demonstrating the impact of your program beyond the theatre space. By prioritizing these practices, teachers can build lasting support for their drama programs and productions.

Where do I start?

Ask yourself these questions about your program. Click below for a printable handout!

• What is the value of my drama program in terms of life skills, student growth, and community impact?
• What are my main three goals for my program? What do I want to achieve?
• What five steps can I take to achieve each of these goals?
• Can my administration help with any of these goals?
• Who can I talk to in other departments to increase visibility and explore cross-curricular connections?
• When was the last time I let my admin know what was happening in my program? What was the response?
• How can I provide administration with tangible evidence of student learning and program success?
• What are some examples of positive, professional, and impact-focused language I can use when describing my program?
• When was the last time I shared student successes (posters, newsletters, social media, school board meetings)? What was the response?