ISTA - International Schools Theatre Association

Membership to ISTA gives schools/organisations the unique opportunity to become part of an international theatre education community, to attend events organised by the association and to access the resources and support network provided.

The members are primarily international schools, international organisations and artists. There are a growing number of national schools who value internationalism and wish to provide opportunities for their students and teachers to engage in new global collaborations.

Membership offers the following opportunities:

Access to Worldwide Theatre Festivals and Specialised Events for Young People
Eligibility for young people to attend a choice of high, middle and primary school theatre festivals and specialised programmes which are offered all over the world, providing opportunities for international exchange and travel.

Teacher Enrichment Programme
Free places at each festival for two teachers per school. Each festival includes specialised Enrichment workshops for the teachers attending. These provide professional development, new ideas for the curriculum, personal growth and an exchange of ideas and resources. There are also opportunities for new partnerships to be established between schools and teachers in an international context. In addition ISTA organizes specific teacher development workshops and programmes.

ISTA Publications and Resources
Eligibility to purchase ISTA publications at a reduced cost. These are written by teachers and artists specifically for teachers with suggestions, practical ideas and easy to follow guides to developing an exciting and rich theatre programme.

Free copy of Scene
ISTA's quarterly journal of international theatre education.
Each issue includes:

• Interesting articles about different aspects of world theatre, theatre education and theory written by teachers and professionals in the field
• Interviews with young professionals working in theatre giving advice of courses etc. as a resource for young people interested in a profession in theatre
• Projects, Units of Work, Lesson Plans -easy to use and offer new ideas and techniques
• Reviews of resources, websites, texts, bibliographies
• Information about ISTA.

Consultancy Service and Resource of International Artists
Access to a consultancy service for schools. This service meets the particular needs of an individual school by providing a specialist in the area required. This may be in the form of general advice, help with setting up a programme or theatre facility, training for individual teachers, departmental or whole faculty training in cross curricular work. In addition ISTA offers a comprehensive resource of international workshop leaders in specific areas of world theatre forms who are available to run workshops for students or teachers in particular specialized forms. Schools can also organize artist residencies.

ISTA Scholarships
Individual students are eligible for a variety of ISTA scholarships which give them financial support to attend events.

Outreach Work
ISTA provides financial support to give certain groups and schools access to particular events that would be of benefit to their community and which they may otherwise be unable to attend.

Network of Schools and Educators worldwide
Provides schools, educators, young people and artists with the opportunity to meet, work with and exchange ideas and resources with others working in the same field. Gives access to a variety of possibilities for those in isolated areas or those who wish to keep abreast of developments in the area of international educational theatre.

User friendly
The organization is renowned for its friendly and approachable manner and for meeting the needs of individuals and schools. A constant dialogue and exchange of ideas between members informs all developments and future events.