How to Choose a Quality Theatre Arts Program for Your Child (or School)

7 Key Elements to Look for in a Quality Drama Program that Builds Confidence, Creativity, and Cultural Connection

High school students share a laugh backstage as they get ready for their Spring 2025 showcase performance.

Not all theatre arts programs are created equal. Whether you’re a parent looking for a meaningful enrichment activity for your child or an educator seeking a program to bring into your school, the right theatre program can do more than entertain—it can inspire confidence, improve social-emotional skills, and nurture a sense of belonging and self-expression.

But how do you know which programs are worth your time, energy, and funding?

To help you choose a quality theatre arts program, here are 7 key elements that set a truly impactful theatre arts program apart from the rest.

Element #1 - Clear Educational Goals

Look for programs that go beyond “putting on a play.” Quality theatre arts programs have clear learning outcomes tied to academic and developmental standards—such as Common Core, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), or Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) standards.

Ask: Does the program promote communication skills, creativity, collaboration, and confidence?

Element #2 - Focus on Social-Emotional Learning

Theatre is a natural platform for building emotional intelligence. Top-tier programs help students process emotions, practice empathy, and navigate social situations through character work and storytelling.

Pro Tip: Programs that integrate SEL are especially powerful for supporting students’ mental health and emotional well-being.

"Through spontaneity we are re-formed into ourselves. It creates an opening, a clearning, through which we can find ourselves. It frees us to act, to express, to be." -Viola Spolin, "Improvisation for the Theater"

Element #3 - Culturally Relevant and Inclusive

Representation matters. Programs that uplift diverse voices and incorporate culturally responsive pedagogy help all students feel seen, heard, and valued.

Look for: Stories that reflect the identities and experiences of the students in the room—not just Shakespeare and fairy tales.

Element #4 - Experienced & Passionate Teaching Artists

The quality of the instructor makes or breaks the experience. A good teaching artist isn’t just an actor—they’re also an educator who understands youth development, classroom management, and trauma-informed practices.

Ask: Does the instructor have experience working with your child’s age group or school community?

Element #5 - Opportunities for Creative Expression

Kids thrive when they get to create. Strong programs allow students to write, devise, and explore their ideas, not just memorize lines.

Bonus: Programs that allow students to co-create stories give them ownership and a deeper connection to the material.

Element #6 - Opportunities for Creative Expression

Kids thrive when they get to create. Strong programs allow students to write, devise, and explore their ideas, not just memorize lines.

Bonus: Programs that allow students to co-create stories give them ownership and a deeper connection to the material.

Element #7 - Opportunities for Creative Expression

While culminating performances are great motivators, a quality program prioritizes process over product. Look for programs that focus on student growth, not just what happens on stage.

Remember: A child who never speaks in class might finally find their voice during scene work—even if they don’t end up in the spotlight.

Final Thoughts:

Choosing a theatre arts program is more than selecting an after-school activity—it’s choosing a space where your child (or students) can grow in confidence, creativity, and connection.

If you’re looking for a program that centers storytelling, self-expression, and student voice—especially for Black and Brown youth—PEAK Theatre Arts is designed for exactly that.

We don’t just teach drama. We help young people see the power of their own story.