More Than Entertainment: Democracy and the Performing Arts (Junior Programs, Inc. (1936-1943) Pioneers of Theater for Young Audiences)

One of the first professional national touring companies to focus exclusively on productions for children, Junior Programs (1936-1943) believed that the performing arts had more than entertainment to offer a democratic society. Their leaders were bold, iconoclastic thinkers who used innovative drama, dance, and opera productions to infuse the performing arts into the everyday life of the communities in which they performed, as well as into the entire K-12 local school curriculums.

Inspired by the nation's egalitarian aspirations, and without a pre-existing road map, they commissioned lively stories of marginalized communities as well as traditional classics. In the process, they introduced four million children to the cultural richness of the racial, ethnic, economic, and religious diversity inherent in a nation of immigrants.

With strong local school and community partnerships, their unique model combined artistic and educational innovations, enabling them to repeatedly turn challenges into opportunities. As important, their years of nationwide success have left a legacy of guiding principles that current TYA practitioners and educators can use to address the challenges they face today.

Joan Lancourt, Ph.D., is a management consultant, executive coach, and author of books and articles on community engagement and leadership development. With an MSW in community organizing, she has served as board chair of two theater companies where she focused on increasing community engagement and board and audience diversity. Her career spans the public, academic, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors, nationally and internationally, and her work continues to encourage theaters and their boards to become leaders in the creation of a more just and equitable society.