Student Perceptions of High School Theatre Programs: An Investigation of Social Issues and Call for Replication

Authors

Matt Omasta, Utah State UniversityFollow
Andrea Thomas Brandley, Utah State University

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Youth Theatre Journal

Volume

30

Issue

1

Publisher

Routledge

Publication Date

4-13-2016

First Page

50

Last Page

67

Abstract

This study investigates students’ perceptions of high school theatre programs. Students indicated whether they believed theatre productions could influence audience members’ perspectives and opinions and, through an open-ended qualitative questionnaire, shared their views on whether their school should specifically address (or avoid addressing) myriad social issues. The study analyzes demographic and other factors that appear to have influenced participants’ responses. Additionally, this study serves as a template for replication studies, which are seriously lacking in the education field (and theatre education in particular), and calls for similar studies to seek the views of students in diverse communities throughout the country.

Recommended Citation

Omasta, M. & Brandley, A. (2016). Student perceptions of high school theatre programs: An investigation of social issues and call for replication. Youth Theatre Journal, 30(1), 50-67.