Glenbard West Theatre leads efforts for National Theatre Education Awareness Month

March is Theatre in Our Schools Month.

It is a grass-roots effort to educate everyone about the benefits of having theater in the schools, and to draw attention to the need for more access to quality programs for all students.

The campaign is jointly sponsored nationally by the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, Educational Theatre Association, and the International Thespian Society.

Glenbard West Theatre is celebrating Theatre in Our Schools Month through several events, including March Musical Theatre Madness and rehearsing the spring musical, "Bright Star."

The theater is the home of ITS Troupe #233, the nationwide high school drama honorary society planning Theatre in Our Schools activities. Theatre in Our Schools is a chance for students, parents, communities, school boards, and other elected officials to become familiar with the benefits of school theater participation, which include development of the 21st-century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.

To see ITS Troupe #233, and the Glenbard West Theatre in action, don't miss virtual performances of the musical "Bright Star" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 7-8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 9. Order your tickets at gwhs.booktix.com.

According to the College Board, in 2015, students who took four years of arts classes in high school scored an average of 92 points higher on their SATs than students who took only one half year or less. But, according to the U. S. Department of Education, only 28 percent of public high schools in high poverty areas offer theater instruction.

For more information about Theatre in Our Schools, visit schooltheatre.org/programs/tios and follow #TheatreinOurSchools on social media.