The California Educational Theatre Association (CETA) is the leading voice for theatre education in the Golden State. We support a vibrant statewide community of educators, artists, and advocates through high-quality professional development, standard-aligned classroom resources, and premier student festivals. Dedicated to equity and excellence, CETA champions state policies and funding that protect the arts, ensuring every California student has access to a transformative, credentialed theatre education.

United for theatre. Dedicated to education.

Charlotte Motter, Founder
CETA

Ralph Freud, Founder
CETA-South (SCETA)

Al Muller, Founder
CETA- North (NCETA)

WE ARE CETA!

Since 1945, the California Educational Theatre Association (CETA) has been a strong force in shaping quality theatre education. CETA’s visionary approach to meeting challenges has made it a nationally recognized organization. CETA supports and represents theatre educators throughout the state with its innovative programs and activities for theatre teachers, artists, and students.

CETA boasts an insightful and dedicated Board of Directors made up of teachers and theatre professionals. Under the direction of its leadership, CETA sponsors exemplary programs, including:

High school and middle school theatre festivals
Stand Up 4 Arts Day at the state capitol in Sacramento (SU4AE-CA Youth In Theatre Day.)
The state’s premier theatre educator conference in October

Our strong political advocacy includes the award winning CETA Position Paper. This concise, full color document puts research data and theatre program guidelines at your finger tips.

We encourage you to take advantage of all that CETA offers. Our website is currently under renovation, but please have a look around and familiarize yourself with our news and information. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or the appropriate board member listed on the board member page. We look forward to working with you to create a bright future for theatre education in California.

The Southern California Educational Theatre Association (SCETA) forms. Ralph Freud (UCLA) serves as first president. College/university faculty lead the organization during its first two decades, establishing educator conferences as a central priority.

Formation of SCETA

1945

Charlotte Motter’s Address to the State Board: Before CETA was officially founded, Charlotte Motter presented a landmark case to the California State Board of Education advocating for Theatre to be recognized as a distinct academic major and subject area in public schools.

Unification into Statewide CETA

1966

In 1970, California lost the Theatre and Dance single-subject credentials. The root of this was the 1961 Fisher Act and subsequent 1970 Ryan Act, which overhauled California's licensing system and reclassified Theatre under English and Dance under Physical Education.

Loss of Theatre & Dance Credentials

1945

The High School Theatre Festival (HSTF) launches in Southern California, establishing an annual gathering for scene evaluations, mainstage performances, and student workshops.

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1st CETA High School Theatre Festival

1945

Formation of SCETA

1945

Formation of SCETA

1945

CETA Medallion Royalty: Carol Hovey, Carolyn Elder, Arelene Hood, Krista Carson Elhai, Gai Jones, Amanda Swann, James Thomas Bailey

California Senator Ben Allen, Leaders from the California Educational Theatre Association, California Dance Educators Association, and CreateCa celebrate TADA! the Theatre and Dance Act!