What is advocacy?
To some, it is a profession on Capital Hill. To others, it is a lifestyle. To the International Thespian Officers, it is plain and simple.
When the ITO met in Cincinnati last July for leadership training, we discussed how to make advocacy "sexy" to students. We had found that students were hesitant to attend a workshop with the word "advocacy" written in bold. Instead, we decided to come up with an acronym that draws attention.
We created N.A.P.S
N.A.P.S stands for National Advocacy Plain and Simple. We figured what high school student would pass up learning how to take a nap, especially one that benefits their theatre program?
I have taught the N.A.P.S workshop in 4 different states, totaling 187 thespians--and I am continuously inspired by every session.
For example, when I was in Texas I discovered that about half of the 66 attendees did not have drama classes at their high school. But that does not stop them, instead they focus their energy on promoting their theatre department. In addition a school in Indiana raises over $4,000 every year through a kids camp.
Advocacy is a habit. It is as simple as sharing your story. Once you share your story with one person, the ripple effect begins. Suddenly that one person tells another, who then tells ten more people--and the message spreads like waves in a pond. The message is varied, and you can pull in facts about your troupe, your state thespian program, and even some national facts to build your perfect elevator speech.
For example did you know that of the 1.5 million SAT test takers in 2012, students who were enrolled in theatre classes scored 105 points higher?
Did you also know that EdTA has tons of advocacy tools, just like this one, for you to use under the Local tab in the advocacy header?
Because of the N.A.P.S movement, students are realizing how important advocacy is. Especially with the Senate's recently proposed ESEA bill which threatens arts education. Mr. Jim Palmarini wrote this blog detailing how you can help.
Advocacy is essential to today's society. It is the foundation that arts education is built upon, and as Thespians, it is our mission to expand the movement--one NAP at a time.
If advocacy interests you, along with a free trip to Washington D.C, then I encourage you to check out the Democracyworks essay contest. You and a chaperone could be advocating on Capital Hill at National Arts Advocacy Day this March!