American theatre association

The American Theatre Association was formed in 1936 as the American Educational Theatre Association by a group of privately owned theatres. Recruiting its members from the ranks of teachers, actors, students, and directors, among others, the Association acted as a theatre advocacy group, promoting theatre and theatre education in several ways. It published and disseminated materials for use in children's secondary schools, colleges and universities, and community theatres, pushed for federal funding of theatre education, promoted the touring of educational theatre groups, and worked with the armed forces installations to develop mutually beneficial theatre programs. The Association also sought to stimulate creative activity and scholarship in educational theatre and in allied fields of educational television, radio, film, and puppetry. In 1972 the American Educational Theatre Association restructured itself under the title, the American Theatre Association, and Jed H. Davis became the Association's president. Since the 1950s, Jed Davis served actively in professional associations, including the Children's Theatre Conference in 1963 and, of course, the American Theatre Association in 1972 until retiring in 1986, the year of the ATA's dissolution.

From the description of American Theatre Association records, 1972-1986. (George Mason University). WorldCat record id: 636587895

The American Educational Theatre Association, was formed in 1936 by a group of drama teachers to encourage high standards of teaching, production and scholarship; to disseminate information concerning developments in the theatre; and to initiate and support national legislation. Membership was composed of teachers, actors, students, directors, and other people involved in educational theatre. Known later as the American Theatre Association, the organization developed and published materials for use in childrens, school, college and university, and community theatres; promoted touring theatre groups; and stimulated creative activity and scholarship in educational theatre and allied fields.

From the guide to the American Educational Theatre Association records, 1944-1960, 1949-1956, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

The American Theatre Association was formed in 1936 as the American Educational Theatre Association by a group of privately owned theatres. Recruiting its members from the ranks of teachers, actors, students, and directors, the Association acted as a theatre advocacy group, promoting theatre and theatre education. The group published and disseminated materials for use in children's secondary schools, colleges and universities, and community theatres, pushed for federal funding of theatre education, promoted the touring of educational theatre groups, and worked with the armed forces to develop mutually beneficial theatre programs. The Association also sought to stimulate creative activity and scholarship in educational theatre and supported the art of American Playwriting, pushing for the production of new plays and seeking out appropriate venues.

The group was structured into divisions, committees, and projects. In 1972 the American Educational Theatre Association restructured itself under the name the American Theatre Association. In 1986, the association dissolved, though some independent divisions of the group continue to function today.

From the guide to the American Theatre Association records, 1947-1980, 1958-1980, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)