CETA Awards

It’s Time for a Standing Ovation!

Every great performance deserves a bow, and the same goes for the educators and organizations that make our community shine. As a CETA member, you have the power to cast the lead role in our annual awards ceremony by nominating a peer or organization that has made a transformative impact on educational theatre. Don’t wait for the encore—submit your nomination using the link below by July 20th to ensure they receive the spotlight they deserve! Award recipients will be officially honored at the CETA Teacher Conference in September 2025.

WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING NOMINATIONS!
For more information email Jerald Bolden at jbolden@catheatreed.org

2025 Award Recipients: Aaron Satow, Joey Landwhere, Jose Casas, Desiree Hill, William Goldyn, and Pauline Crooks.

Nominate

Award History

2024 Outstanding Theatre Educator Jeff Bengford with Krista Carson Elhai

Award FAQ’s and Guidelines

No! Nominations are open to everyone!
A person or organization that has made/ continues to make a significant impact in the field of Theatre Education.
Yes! Please do. California is a huge state and theatre educators are often teaching in isolation, nurturing programs in districts with few to no other fellow theatre teachers around. Celebrate your success by nominating yourself in an award’s category!
No ! Anyone nominated for a CETA award does not necessarily need to be a CETA member. There are specific awards where current membership is required, but there are plenty of award categories where membership is not required for nomination.
Yes! you can nominate anyone for as many awards as you see fit!
TODAY! Submission deadline is July 20th
Individuals & organizations that make an important contribution to educational theatre deserve to be recognized and honored!
No. If you want to nominate someone for multiple awards, a new nomination form must be submitted for each category. One form per nomination.

Award Descriptions

Presented to a member of the association whose continued service has been distinguished by leadership, loyalty, contribution, and support.
Presented to an outstanding theatre educator whose contributions to theatre education go above & beyond what is expected of them. This includes significant and valuable contributions made to encourage, promote, and develop the highest standards in theatre education.
An award category broad enough to recognize a specific event, workshop, authorship, or chairmanship of an event or committee.
Recognition for outstanding contributions to theatre education by an individual or organization outside the discipline.
Honors a teacher who has made a significant impact in less than 5 years in the field of theatre education.
Honors an individual, organization, institution or company who has made a significant contribution to theatre education in regards to multiculturalism. This includes reaching diverse audiences and constituencies, incorporating multicultural issues into their work, promoting multiculturalism & diversity through theatre, etc.
Honors an administrator who has played a significant role in the advancement of theatre education.
Presented to a professional artist or organization for assistance to and support of theatre education.