Abstract
This article presents a policy report from a national task force convened to examine workload distribution and program structure within collegiate theatre departments. Initially charged with developing guidelines for faculty assignment, the task force identified broader systemic imbalances affecting the discipline, including overextended faculty, declining student preparation, insufficient research capacity, and pressure to prioritize production over pedagogy. The report urges departments to define clear educational missions, align degree offerings with available resources, and reevaluate production models to prioritize student learning and disciplinary advancement. It also calls for workload policies that account for discipline specific labor such as directing, design, dramaturgy, and performance coaching. Arguing that the historical separation between curriculum and production is unsustainable, this article advocates for structural integration and institutional reform. It concludes with strategic questions to guide future dialogue, positioning the moment as an opportunity for renewed commitment to educational quality in theatre in higher education.
Recommended Citation
Whitmore, Jon
(1989)
"Association for Theatre in Higher Education Task Force on Distribution Chair's Report,"
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin: Vol. 69, Article 5.
Available at:
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/aca/vol69/iss1/5
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