OCPS earns national recognition for excellence in theater education

For the first time, the Educational Theatre Association recognized Orange County Public Schools as a Premier Community for Theatre Education.

The award is given to schools that make positive and high-quality theater education a priority for all students. 

“We’re all just really proud to be a part of the magic,” said Ashley Fisher, the Horizon High School theater director.

This year marks the first time OCPS applied for the designation, which will last for three years. 

According to EdTA, schools need to meet or exceed standards set by the National Core Arts Standards. 

Programs are evaluated on curriculum, schedule, performance, safety, diversity, equity and inclusion, resources and equipment, and more. 

“Theater is more than just a math or a science class,” Fisher said. “The kids learn so much from being in our class about how to be a good human, in general, and honoring teamwork and commitment, and having passion and having drive and ambition.”

OCPS’ designation also marks the first time an entire district has been recognized in Florida.

For Nicole Freeman, the Castleview Elementary School drama director, the recognition means pride and hope that theater departments within elementary schools will grow and become more than just an extracurricular activity. 

“I’m over-the-moon grateful for the opportunity and over the moon that we have been recognized as a school district,” Freeman said. “Sometimes, I stand back as the director and I see the organized chaos happen, and I feel like the luckiest person in the world — that I get to be a part of something so impactful. The kids bring us to life.” 

She said theater not only is about dancing and singing; it can teach foundational life-skills necessary for all kids’ personal growth and confidence. 

Freeman’s hope is that one day, OCPS will have theater teachers in all elementary schools. 

“I wish theater could become one of the special areas that elementary schools were offered,” she said. “I think there would be a lot of success with it for young students.”

The award is the result of years of hard work from OCPS theater educators, as well as the students, parents and communities that support the programs at each school.

“OCPS is blessed to have a lot of really hard-working theater educators; we put in a lot, a lot of hours,” Fisher said. “We do it because, first of all, we love what we do but also because we want to give the kids the most professional experience possible, and I think the educators who have that drive within them is evident in our district.

“It’s an honor to be able to be a part of a community that gets to put on these amazing productions,” she said. “And (it’s an honor) to work so closely with these kids and develop them and get to see them grow for four years.” 

Tara Whitman is the theater director for West Orange High School and has worked there for 10 years. 

“Arts in the schools is very important, and it’s not always acknowledged or recognized,” Whitman said. “It just feels really good as an educator to know that that mentality is supported by our school board and those on the administration side who are submitting for this are recognizing the work that’s being done in so many of our Orange County Public Schools.”

Whitman said it is nice to see OCPS connecting with an association such as EdTA that supports theater education all over the nation. 

“It’s definitely a huge sense of pride for our school and our school county,” Whitman said. 

According to EdTA’s website, each Premier Community recipient will receive a toolkit of materials, including signage for display and badges for websites and social-media accounts, tips on how to promote a theater department and facts about theater education. 

Teachers hope this will have a positive impact on the community.

“My hope is that with getting more recognition for our theater programs, we can boost enrollment in the arts,” Fisher said. “I really do feel like it’s such an important thing to have in schools, so that these kids have this creative outlet and an instant family overnight.”