The Academies for Academics & Arts (AAA) have been honored with the distinction of being named a Premiere Community for Theatre Education for its outstanding commitment in the field. The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) recognizes individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in their efforts to provide theatre access and education to all students.
“Receiving this designation will help our students, program, and school to continue to develop and be a leader for theatre education in the state of Alabama,” said AAA Theatre Director Josh Feemster. “We are proud to be the first Theatre program in the state to receive this distinction and one of the few elementary & middle schools.”
Feemster also stressed the importance of theatre education as vital in helping students of all ages with things like public speaking, confidence, creative problem solving, and the development of empathy.
To qualify for the distinction, the school answered detailed questions about funding, teacher development and evaluation, theatre class curriculum and participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the theatre program. Responses were verified with official documentation and reviewed by EdTA.
“EdTA’s vision is that every student will have access to theatre education taught by qualified educators as part of a well-rounded education,” said Chief Content Officer Allison Dolan. “We’re proud to honor the Academy for Academics & Arts for helping to achieve that vision.”
AAA opened as the first magnet school in Huntsville in 1984 and its emphasis on the arts sets it apart from other schools in the area. At the school, students have the opportunity to explore the arts each week by attending classes in a wide variety of areas such as theatre, journalism, dance, and more.
