Julie Cohen Theobald

The Educational Theatre Foundation will welcome two new members to its national board of trustees for the 2022-2024 term, adding to the existing pool of prominent leaders from a diverse range of industries including entertainment, finance, hospitality, law, education, and nonprofit theatre, all with a common passion for theatre education. 

Broadway has the Tonys.  Hollywood has the Oscars. Thespians have the Thespys. The International Thespian Excellence Awards, or Thespys for short, recognize the highest level of achievement in school theatre performance and technical theatre.

Roshunda Jones of G.W. Carver Magnet High School in Houston and Holly Stanfield of Bradford High School in Kenosha, Wisconsin, are the dual recipients of the second annual Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year Award presented by The ASCAP Foundation and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

The Educational Theatre Foundation, in partnership with the Princess Grace Foundation, has announced a major investment in the continuing education of promising young theatre artists. Thanks to a generous gift from the Victory Foundation, $500,000 in scholarships and support will be awarded over 10 years to students.

As part of the Princess Grace Foundation's ongoing commitment to access, equity, inclusion and diversity, the Foundation has announced a leadership gift from the Victory Foundation to establish the Grace Kelly Scholarship program.

Four new board directors will join the Educational Theatre Association's (EdTA) governing board this summer, bringing a unique cross-section of educator experience to the national organization.

Teacher, writer, and LGBTQ rights advocate Chasten Buttigieg will participate in the virtual Educational Theatre Foundation gala in support of theatre education. The event will be streamed on January 28 at 8:30 p.m. (EST).

Actress, comedian, writer, producer, and playwright Tina Fey, and actor, singer, and improv comedian Wayne Brady, will show their support for school theatre by participating in the live streamed Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF) gala.

The Educational Theatre Foundation will honor award-winning director, producer, and actor Kenny Leon with its second annual Craig Zadan Theatre for Life Award on January 28 at 8:30 p.m. (EST).

Two industry veterans have teamed up to honor the 25th Anniversary of Jason Robert Brown’s SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD featuring one of musical theatre’s most inspiring finales, Hear My Song. Performer Jill Marie Burke and music director Brent Crayon enlisted the support of director Alan Bailey, and together they assembled Broadway performers, regional theatre standouts and high school musical students, to record a music video honoring the work of Jason Robert Brown and benefiting the Educational Theatre Foundation. 

The Educational Theatre Foundation is the beneficiary of the passion project of two industry veterans who have teamed up to honor the 25th Anniversary of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World, featuring one of musical theatre’s most inspiring finales, Hear My Song.

The Educational Theatre Foundation's (ETF) new Thespian Relief Fund has made its first round of grant awards totaling $30,000 and benefiting 40 school theatre programs in 22 states and the District of Columbia. (Complete list below.)

Corey Mitchell, head of the musical theatre department of Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, North Carolina is the recipient of the inaugural Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year Award presented by The ASCAP Foundation and the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA).

The roster has expanded for the Virtual International Thespian Festival, which is now set to include Pasek and Paul, Laura Benanti, Jenn Colella, Megan Hilty, and more!

Dolly Parton and Stephen Schwartz will make guest appearances at the first-ever Virtual International Thespian Festival (ITF), happening June 22-26 on the screens of theatre-lovers around the world.

Tina Fey will make a guest appearance at the first-ever Virtual International Thespian Festival (ITF), happening June 22-26, 2020, on a screen near you.

On March 27, Indiana University, the site of the International Thespian Festival (ITF), informed the Educational Theatre Association, which produces the event, that it is canceling all summer activities on campus. This means that ITF 2020 cannot take place as an in-person gathering.

Detroit middle schoolers will get their shot to experience the educational benefits of theatre starting next school year, thanks to the producer of Hamilton, the University of Michigan, and the Educational Theatre Foundation (ETF). A new partnership between ETF and the University's School of Music, Theatre & Dance (STMD) will bring JumpStart Theatre (JST), a program that creates sustainable theatre arts programs in middle schools where there previously were none, to Detroit in 2020-21 a?" growing JST's reach to six areas around the country.

One of Broadway's most decorated composers is giving an accolade of his own: The Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year Award will represent the highest level of achievement for a middle or high school theatre teacher, with the winner receiving $5,000 and travel to the International Thespian Festival for the announcement and recognition.

One of Broadway's most decorated composers is giving an accolade of his own: The Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year Award will represent the highest level of achievement for a middle or high school theatre teacher, with the winner receiving $5,000 and travel to the International Thespian Festival for the announcement and recognition.