"Theatre in our Schools" Month at Wheaton North

By Josiah Cook

The development of a quality theatre arts program at the high school level is vital for student success in theatre programs. In order to raise awareness of the benefits of this activity, Theatre in Our Schools month occurs every year in March, and the Wheaton North theater department wants to spread the word to encourage students and staff alike to support the program.

According to a 2010 article published in Arts Education Review, an education in the arts promotes academic self-efficacy and engagement in school, both predictors of persistence to graduation. Becoming involved in the arts, more specifically theatre, allows students to develop collaborative skills as well, as students involved in the company work together constantly to put on a performance that they can be proud of.

However, these programs do not receive as much attention as they deserve, and furthermore, with the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some schools have not had a theatre season for years. This has a huge impact on the amount of funding that theater departments receive, as most high school theatre programs rely entirely on box office revenue to support their activities.

It goes without saying that massive amounts of support are needed to make sure that the Wheaton North theater program stays up and running. Interested in how you can support this wonderful organization and make sure that theatre continues to wow the community surrounding Wheaton North? You can do so in two ways: helping out directly and supporting the productions that are performed. If you’re a student, consider volunteering your time to assist with a production by joining the crew or even auditioning for a show. If you’re not a singer or a dancer, however, extra help is always needed for Tech, Run, Costume, Lighting, Props, and Publicity crew. Not doing anything after school? Consider taking part in this wonderful activity! If not, the Spring Musical, Chicago is debuting on April 11, 12 and 13th, and actors love to see full crowds of people cheering them on!