Trends of educational theatre practices in Hungary: Effects, impacts, contents, central issues and opinions.

This article presents a comprehensive qualitative analysis of educational theatre practices in Hungary during the 2012–13 season, based on data collected from 118 programmes across 298 institutions. Educational theatre programmes, defined by their pedagogical intent and interactive nature, were found to enhance theatre appreciation and understanding among children and youth, who generally preferred interactive formats over traditional performances. The study identifies nine common drama strategies and highlights that central themes often revolve around power, leadership, and social issues relevant to contemporary Hungary. It also distinguishes two main approaches in addressing social topics: problem-solving and exploring underlying causes, noting participants' skepticism about theatre's ability to change prejudices. Additionally, the research reveals a disconnect between the intended social or political cues of programmes and the perceptions of Generation Z audiences, emphasizing the need for creators to consider audience perspectives to improve engagement and impact.