Most Wisconsin schools do not have formal curriculum in Theatre, yet countless students participate in extracurricular productions, contest one-act plays, and/or conferences/contests (such as we hold at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Theatre Festival) such as Thespys and the Tech Challenge.
In advocating for funding and supporting theatre programming in schools — curricular or extracurricular — directors can share with administrators Wisconsin’s Standards for Theatre and explain how they are meeting those standards.
In 2018, for the first time in 20 years, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction engaged theatre educators in developing a comprehensive set of teaching and learning standards for theatre. Part of this process involved considering the role extracurricular and interscholastic theatre plays in learning opportunities, particularly for schools without formal curriculum in theatre. Therefore, we encourage directors to review the Wisconsin Standards for Theatre Education and associated resources.
DPI is considering review of Theatre standards in 2025-26. Feel free to comment on this survey – by October 1 – to support this effort.
If interested in serving on the standards writing committee, complete this form.
Summary of Wisconsin Standards #
Strands:
Theatre Performance
Identifies activities that focus on the techniques of acting, building confidence, critical listening, and underlying psychology of characterizations.
Theatre Production
Behind-the-scenes activities such as lighting, sound, stage management, and costume design to name a few. Highly valuable skills for students pursuing any careers in producing live events.
Thematically arranged by four artistic processes recognized in the National Arts Standards:
Create
Perform
Respond
Connect
