The Show Must Go On: Supporting Theatre in MCPS

March 19, 2025 – By Shoshanna Schechter,MA, Ed.D (ABD)

When my daughter first joined the drama program at Tilden Middle School in 6th grade, I had no idea how much theatre would shape her school experience—or how much I would learn about the challenges facing Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) theatre programs. From middle school to high school, I’ve witnessed passionate students, incredibly dedicated teachers, and a constant battle for resources.

This isn’t just about my child’s journey. It’s about the ongoing struggle of theatre programs across MCPS that rely on fundraising, family donations, and sheer willpower to survive.

For my daughter, theatre has been more than just an extracurricular activity—it has been a place where she has truly thrived. She is  “2E Autistic” and was part of the Tilden Middle School “Connections” program (formerly known as the Asperger’s program). Like so many neurodivergent students, she found that theatre provided a structured yet creative space where she could express herself, develop social confidence, and be fully included in a community that valued her talents. Please do not misunderstand, being cast in any production in an MCPS secondary school production is extremely competitive. Despite her own challenges, my daughter was so inspired by her first interest meeting at Tilden that she threw her entire self into memorizing her audition monologues. She made sure to watch the full production of The One Act Play that Goes Wrong over and over and spent hours researching each and every character. When she received her first callback, I have to admit, given the level of talent and  and clearly unapologetic high standards and expectations- which were very clearly laid out to parents as well before students were given permission to audition, I was not sure my special child was even ready for that level of commitment. And yes, as I am consistently learning in the process of the parenting journey, I was wrong. 

Tilden Drama Program

For three years, she was lucky to be part of the Tilden Drama program, directed by the phenomenal Mr.Tory Shaw. Under his leadership, students didn’t just put on plays—they built confidence, learned teamwork, and found a community. For autistic students, there is significant clear data theatre that can be a complete game-changer, helping them develop communication skills and meaningful friendships while providing a space where their unique perspectives are valued. Mr. Shaw inspired my daughter’s thirst to dive even deeper into her craft- which we have thankfully been able to nurture through Imagination Stage, a local incredible non-profit fully inclusive theatre company that has also welcomed my child with open and accepting arms- including one notable middle school summer when a previously loved local camp made an inappropriate and rash decision to “pack her bags and send her home,” only a week into the summer, leaving her with no productive plans, not to mention an unfortunate dose of the lifetime reality of discrimination that she continues to face, despite her extreme progress and growth.

Northwood High School

Now, as a Northwood High School (NHS) freshman in the MC2 cohort, she is part of another incredible but underfunded theatre program, led by the dedicated Mr. Brett Harwood. Despite the enthusiasm of students and staff, NHS theatre faces even greater challenges—from a lack of financial support to logistical nightmares that make participation even harder. Right now, Northwood theatre students are fundraising for a one-day trip to New York City. Many schools in wealthier areas of the county take trips like these as a given, but at Northwood, students are hustling to make it happen- and the staff is also working extra hard to make the final per student cost as affordable as possible. And then there’s the ongoing construction crisis. Northwood’s building is being rebuilt, as such in the meantime, students have been relocated to the new Woodward High School campus in Bethesda. But here’s the catch—Woodward is still under construction and not yet finished. Northwood High School is temporarily at Charles W. Woodward High School during its rebuild, now delayed until summer 2027 due to COVID-19 and supply chain issues.

On April 24, 2024, students and staff protested the delays, lack of facilities, and early start time. MCPS pushed the start time to 7:40 AM and adjusted bus routes, but the temporary campus still lacks an auditorium and sports fields, creating ongoing challenges. Given all of the funding poured into the 2022 MCPS Anti-Racism Audit (cost, $450,000), one would be surprised as to the blatant lack of equity displayed by the simple fact that no one on the Board of Education or in MCPS Leadership seems to care or notice that the population of NHS, according to Niche.com, is made of 68% low income families, 58% of whom are Hispanic and 24% African-American. Hmmm….

As such, when it comes to theatre, for the Fall production, Rent, all cast and crew had to be transported to Wheaton/Edison High School just to rehearse and perform their fall musical. Imagine trying to put together a high-quality production while being shuffled between campuses. It’s a logistical nightmare for students, teachers, and families- many of whom, as discussed above, cannot afford either the time or resources to privately transport their students- which one could argue is a clear violation of the federal law of FAPE, a free and appropriate public education.

Commitment of Theatre Educators

Through all of this, one thing remains constant: the commitment of theatre educators. Mr.Tory Shaw at Tilden and Brett Harwood at Northwood have gone above and beyond to ensure that students get the opportunity to participate in theatre, even when the odds are stacked against them. They aren’t just directing shows—they’re advocating for their students, finding creative ways to fund programs, and making theatre accessible for kids who might otherwise miss out.

For autistic students like my daughter, these teachers have created spaces where neurodivergent kids are included and valued. They recognize the power of theatre to help kids develop social and emotional skills, build friendships, and gain confidence in ways traditional classroom settings sometimes don’t provide.

But should it really be this hard for them to do their jobs?

Why Do We Have to Fight for the Arts?

MCPS boasts about its commitment to arts education, but the reality is theatre programs are often treated as an afterthought. Unlike athletics, which receive dedicated funding and community sponsorships, theatre programs must constantly beg for resources.

Why should theatre students have to fundraise for basic opportunities like a NYC trip, while other extracurriculars receive built-in support? Why wasn’t a theatre space included in the plans for the new Woodward High School campus?

These aren’t just minor inconveniences—they’re systemic issues that send a message that the arts aren’t as valuable as other programs.

What Can We Do?

As parents and community members, we need to step up and advocate for theatre programs across MCPS. 

Here’s how:

Speak up: Contact MCPS leadership and local BOE representatives to push for dedicated funding for the arts.
Donate and fundraise: If you can, support efforts like Northwood’s NYC trip or contribute to theatre booster clubs.
Raise awareness: Many families don’t realize the disparity between arts and athletics funding—spread the word and share your experiences.
Encourage local businesses to support theatre programs: Just like businesses sponsor sports teams, they could help fund productions or trips.

Theatre isn’t just about putting on a show—it teaches public speaking, collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity. These are skills that will serve students for life. For neurodivergent students, it can be even more impactful—offering a unique space where they can thrive, be accepted, and build confidence.

MCPS students deserve fully supported theatre programs, just like they deserve well-funded sports teams and STEM initiatives.

To Mr. Shaw, Mr. Harwood, and every theatre educator fighting for their students—thank you. You are the reason our kids have the chance to shine.

Now, let’s make sure they don’t have to fight this battle alone.

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Shoshanna R. Schechter is an educator, mental health advocate, and inclusion specialist with over 20 years of experience transforming education and supporting student success. With a background spanning higher education, K-12 instruction, special education, college counseling, and youth mental health, she is dedicated to creating inclusive, student-centered learning environments where every individual thrives. She is the founder and CEO of Schechter Education, www.schechtereducation.com

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