Since the beginning of the year, Alvin ISD’s Theatre Arts programs continue to be the cause for celebration.
In January, AISD was named an inaugural Texas Thespians Premier Communities for Theatre Education award winner by the Educational Theatre Association.
Then in April, the department was honored as a National Premier Community for Theatre Education for its outstanding commitment to providing theatre access and education to all students.
It didn’t stop there though. In August, AISD was recognized as a recipient of the Texas Educational Theatre Association Award of Distinction at the Exemplary Level. Only seven districts in the state were chosen for this honor.
With these three major awards, Alvin ISD’s Theatre Arts department has solidified its standing as a leader in theatre education, said John Grimmett, head theatre director for Alvin HIgh School and lead theatre teacher for all east-area schools.
Grimmett gathered and submitted most of the information for the various awards and in his time doing the research necessary, he’s become familiar with the ins-and-outs of the program as a whole.
He attributes a huge part of the department's success to advocacy and support from campus and district-level administrators who see the importance of theatre arts for students to find success.
“In order to receive these recognitions, programmatic vision starts from the top down. Our leadership encourages students and teachers to thrive in an innovation mindset with the student at the center of all learning experiences,” he said.
These distinctions also distinguish Alvin ISD students from other aspiring professionals and give them the tools they need for any kind of job, not just one in the arts, Grimmett said.
“Modern employers require ever increasingly creative, flexible, and competent employees and students who study theatre practice these skills regularly throughout their classes,” he said. “Our goal is to provide a professional experience to all of our students and the choice for students with a passion for the arts to follow their dream to higher education and/or professional trade unions.”