March is Theatre in Our Schools Month — a time to celebrate the powerful impact theatre education has on young people academically, socially, and emotionally. What happens onstage isn’t just performance; it’s life skill building, community making, confidence growing, and future‑career preparation.

What the Research Shows

The benefits of involvement in school theatre are broad and well‑supported:

 Academic and Cognitive Gains

  • Students involved in drama performance score higher on standardized tests — often outperforming peers on both verbal and math portions of the SAT. – Educational Theatre Association

  • Theatre activities enhance reading comprehension and language skills, since students engage deeply with text and interpretation. – Vertigo Theatre 2024-25 Impact Report

  • Participation in arts programming correlates with higher engagement, better attendance, and lower dropout rates, particularly in underserved communities. – PR Newswire

Social & Emotional Development

  • Theatre builds communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills — 90% of teachers report stronger teamwork among students involved in drama. – AISL Mall 

  • Students develop empathy and emotional intelligence by stepping into characters’ lives and perspectives. – Arts Education Partnership

  • Drama participation fosters self‑confidence and self‑esteem, with many students reporting improved comfort with public expression and leadership. – AISL Mall 

Long‑Term Life Skills
Even beyond school, theatre teaches real‑world skills,  like public speaking, improvisation, adaptability, problem‑solving, and creative thinking, that employers across industries value.  Theatre students aren’t just future actors. They are critical thinkers, powerful communicators, and collaborative team members. Those skills transfer seamlessly into careers in business, education, health care, law, leadership, and every field that involves working with people.

When it comes to performance as a career, some experts predict that in an era where AI increasingly replaces experiences and jobs, live performance will become more precious than ever. People will crave the authenticity of a performer creating in real time, sharing the same space, the same emotions, and the same journey, in a way that no artificial experience can replicate.

A Personal Story: Why I Believe in Theatre

When I was growing up and preparing for college, a parent of mine  jokingly (and lovingly) went to the dean to convince me not to major in theatre.  But the dean looked at her with complete seriousness and said something I’ve never forgotten:

“Why would I try to convince him not to study theatre? Our theatre majors are the first people who get jobs , they can present themselves, they can talk to people, they are confident.”

At the time I didn’t fully grasp how right he was, not just about landing a job, but about growing into a person who can make a case for themselves, communicate with confidence, and connect with others on meaningful levels.

And just to be clear, my parents were always supportive of my endeavors, even if they playfully questioned the practicality of some choices.