In order that theatre education may contribute significantly to theatre art and to society, five problems must be examined: (1) the qualifications of individual instructors and the quality of theatre programs; (2) the need for a good laboratory program "to teach theatre and let theatre teach," with play production serving only as an extension of the educational process; (3) the identification of theatre as a unique art demanding study suited to it (one result being a revitalized understanding of theatre research); (4) the development of a student-centered program whereby the pupil achieves disciplined creativity by progressing through four stages--initiatory, formative, productive, and creative; and (5) the promotion of the concept that theatre education is a necessary part of a complete education for the child, the adolescent, and the young adult. (JMC)