Abstract
This article assesses the overall condition of theatre as both a professional and academic field within the broader context of the performing arts. Using a metaphor of medical diagnosis, the analysis identifies theatre as a “fabulous invalid”—ailing but resilient. National data demonstrate the expansion of regional and nonprofit theatre, with significant growth in professional companies, productions, and employment since the 1970s, despite persistent financial instability. The discussion links this professional growth to developments in theatre education, including the proliferation of degree programs, the acceptance of the MFA as a terminal degree, and the emergence of cooperative relationships between professional and academic theatre through organizations such as the University/Resident Theatre Association and the League of Professional Theatre Training Programs. The article emphasizes the growing role of accreditation and the need for evaluation based on student success and professional readiness rather than institutional prestige. It concludes that while theatre faces cyclical challenges, its integration of professional practice and academic training positions it for continued vitality within higher education and the arts.
Recommended Citation
Cook, Douglas N.
(1987)
"Assessing the Health of the Profession: A Diagnosis of Theatre,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 59, Article 5.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol59/iss1/5
