Theatre in Our Schools Advocacy Day
March 5, 2024- Kansas Capital
|
Theatre Students Make Their Voices Heard at the Statehouse
Kansas Thespians participated in the annual Advocacy Day in Topeka TOPEKA, KS, March 5, 2024.On Tuesday, Kansas Thespians went to the State Capital to engage with their legislators about the essential nature of theatre education and its impact on students, communities, and Kansas itself. Each year for the past 7 years, Kansas Thespians have hosted this annual event. The purpose of Arts Advocacy Day at the State Capital is to educate students about how local and state policies affect their individual programs, encourage participation in state and local government through education and training, and to provide a positive experience that acknowledges and empowers theatre students’ voices. For the last several years, Senator Jeff Pittman, Leavenworth and Representative Kirk Haskins, Topeka, have sponsored Kansas Thespians by taking a point of privilege in their respective chambers. From the House floor, Representative Haskins remarked that theatre is “a testament to the dedication and creativity of our youth.” Senator Pittman spoke about how theatre education teaches students “incredible skills that help them with socializing, teamwork and other life skills outside of our traditional academics.” Theatre students from over twenty two Kansas High Schools schools met with members of the Kansas House and Senate to discuss the importance of theatre education. In addition to meeting with legislators, students sang in the rotunda and participated in a press conference featuring student speakers and Representative Haskins. |
|
|
|
|