Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School has been named a Premier Community for Theatre Education, a national distinction presented by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) to schools that demonstrate exceptional achievement in providing meaningful, high quality theatre education and access for all students.
The EdTA Premier School recognition honors communities that prioritize theatre education by investing in the people, resources, and support systems that help students thrive through the arts.
“Being recognized by the Educational Theatre Association as one of just 15 Premier Theatre Communities nationwide is an extraordinary honor for Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School and a powerful affirmation of the work happening on our stage and in our classrooms every day,” said DRRHS Principal, Dustin Demers. “Theatre education is about far more than performance, it is about building confident communicators, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders. It gives students a space to take risks, find their voice, and develop empathy by seeing the world through different perspectives.”
Director, Ellen O’Reilly-LaSalle stated, “The theatre program is designed to cultivate creative, critical thinkers who demonstrate leadership. Our program is built on experiences that provide students with the opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals, complete mentorships, and pursue advanced academic study through honors and Early College theatre courses. There is a comprehensive and challenging curriculum that equips students with the skills necessary for both professional work and continued academic study after graduation. Many of our alumni continue to work in the field.”
To qualify for the distinction, Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School Theatre Company completed a comprehensive application documenting its support for theatre education in areas including funding, curriculum, instructional time, facilities, student participation, teacher development and evaluation, and overall institutional commitment to the program. All responses were verified with official documentation and reviewed by the Educational Theatre Association.
"Being involved in a premier community for theatre education has provided me with the confidence and tools to succeed beyond high school. It has allowed me to apply the practical skills I have learned on stage, such as public speaking, working within teams, and taking on leadership roles, in a real-world context,” said senior Aubrey Sylvia.
“Being named one of only 15 Premier Theatre Communities in the nation is an extraordinary honor for Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School,” said Superintendent Bill Runey. “This recognition reflects the incredible talent, passion, and dedication of our students, staff, and directors who continue to create meaningful opportunities through the arts. Theatre education helps students build confidence, foster communication skills, and ignite creativity; all skills that will serve them well far beyond the stage. We are incredibly proud of our Theatre Company and this national recognition of their outstanding work.”
Research continues to highlight the educational and social-emotional benefits of participating in school theatre. Studies have shown that students involved in theatre programs can develop stronger confidence, creativity, collaboration, resilience, responsibility, and a deeper sense of belonging. Drama-based instruction has also been shown to help students make stronger connections to academic content, while 95% of school administrators believe that theatre experiences improve students’ overall academic skills.
“Theatre education gives students the opportunity to discover their voice, build confidence, and develop skills that serve them for life,” said Jay Gerlach, Interim Executive Director of the Educational Theatre Association. “This recognition celebrates communities that understand theatre is not extracurricular in the traditional sense, but an essential part of a well-rounded education.”
The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School Theatre Company has received press in several prominent publications, including:
#WeAreDR #SomethingforEveryone #DT2030 #EIS
#EdTAPremierCommunities #EdTAPremierSchool #TheatreMatters #EdTA