Garden City High School 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 on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Each year for the past seven 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 22 Kansas High Schools, including Garden City High School, 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.
Contact Alice Hilt, GCHS Theatre Director, for more information at 620-805-5558 or ahilt@gckschools.com.
Advocacy Day is part of Theatre in Our Schools month, which is celebrated each March. Theatre students and theatre educators across the country raise awareness about the impact of theatre education with dedicated spirit weeks, social media takeovers and more! Follow AHS Theatre or ACHS Theatre on social media for more information.