Abstract
The essay reviews debates about professionalism in college and university theatre programs, placing contemporary concerns within a longer history of practical theatre training in higher education. It summarizes recurring issues raised in a panel on educational theatre, including administrative support, program objectives, faculty qualifications, facilities, student recruitment, curriculum design, faculty assignments, production practices, and retention standards. The piece distinguishes professionalized training from broader liberal arts or extracurricular approaches while noting the difficulty of balancing rigorous practical preparation with general education. It also addresses whether professional theatre programs should emphasize laboratory training for majors, public performance, or broader institutional outreach. The essay contributes to theatre administration by outlining conditions and tensions involved in professionalizing educational theatre.
Recommended Citation
Bassett, Clyde
(1984)
"Professionalism in Educational Theatre,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 47, Article 10.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol47/iss1/10
