The Association for Theatre in Higher Education advocates for our members and for the field of theatre and performance in a range of ways, in line with our vision and mission, following policies set out in our Bylaws and Operations Manual. Such action takes a range of forms, including public statements, direct contact with governments, institutional administrators, and departments, as well as other relevant individuals and through social media. Where appropriate, we will appoint an ad hoc task force, composed of board and volunteer members, and draft appropriate documents.

While US-based, we pursue global action, working with partners from allied organizations around the world, as appropriate. For each individual circumstance, each organization individually considers an appropriate response, and we seek to work in collaboration/concert where this is appropriate and beneficial. Where appropriate, we work with a multilingual group of colleagues internationally to deliver responses in the most appropriate language.

Request Support from ATHE

Anyone who wishes to submit a request for action can do so by bringing them directly to the attention of the Governing Council, President and Executive Director. Please do so by emailing request_support@athe.org. We request that, where appropriate, you may provide recommended or requested language for such requests. You can also fill out this form. Please do not include any private information on the form; use the direct email where confidentiality is required. Any information included on the form will be publicly available.

Sample Recent Campaigns and Actions

Legislative Efforts to Restrict Education about Racism in American History (June 2021)

• Statement

Planned Reorganization at the Victoria and Albert Museum (March 2021)

• Letter to V&A Director
• Letter to the Editor of The Times, London Regarding the Planned Reorganization of the Victoria and Albert Museum

Kansas Board of Regents Policy Decision Allowing Suspension, Dismissal, Termination Absent Declaration of Financial Exigency (January 2021)

• Response

Threatened Closures (Fine Arts) at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (October 2020)

• Response

Threatened Cuts at the University of Roehampton (October 2020)

• Response

Threatened Program Closure (Theatre and Dance) at the University of Hawai'i, Manoa (September 2020)

• Response

Threatened Closure (Centre of Theatre Performance) at Monash University (September 2020)

• Response

Attacks on Universities in India (January 2020)

• Statement from Coalition of Dance, Performance and Theatre Associations

 

Support the Field Through Your Voice

ATHE also provides support to our field by ensuring our members are aware of challenges elsewhere in the field, including to individual departments, and inviting members to submit individual letters on behalf of programs threatened by local action and budgetary challenges. Alongside this, we have put together a task force of past organizational leaders and senior colleagues globally who can provide a range of advice and reach out directly to university administration as appropriate.

Template Letters for Institutions with Threatened Programs

You are welcome to use this template as a model for your own letter of support. While the letter is by no means all encompassing, it does provide an outline for which you can tailor your specific support or request.

Active Campaigns

View active campaigns.