CINCINNATI: The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) has awarded the New York City-based iTheatrics with the “Standing Ovation” Award. The honor is given in recognition of a corporation or an organization that makes significant, nationwide impact in the field of theatre education either through philanthropic efforts or programs and activities.

Julie Cohen Theobald, the presenter of the award and EdTA’s executive director, described iTheatrics’s involvement with her association. “Over the past couple years, our relationship has developed into a valuable and trusted partnership,” said Theobald in a statement. “iTheatrics is well regarded by our membership as a company who supports and gives back to the field of theatre education.”

Working collaboratively to initiate programs such as the Jumpstart program or their upcoming endeavor, the Junior Theater Festival West, the two associations are making strides in creating, sustaining, and generating accessibility to theatre and the arts nationwide. They are even gathering support from the President’s Committee on Arts and the Humanities, New York City’s Department of Education, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, McGraw-Hill Education, and NBC Universal.

iTheatrics founding CEO Timothy Allen McDonald accepted the award on the company’s behalf at the International Thespian Festival this past summer. “iTheatrics seeks partners who are forward thinking and passionate about building sustainable musical theatre programs in schools everywhere,” said Allen in a statement. “We are thrilled to partner with EdTA, an organization that not only pioneered theatre education, but continues to be a leader in the field.”