Drama Teachers - How do they Change, Succeed and Survive?

A series of interviews were conducted in order to explore issues crucial to both the survival and the success of long-term secondary drama teacher in the classroom. The interviews were free-ranging and lengthy, with considerable participation by the interviewers. A previous study found that successful teachers with a commitment to the craft of drama followed their passion into new opportunities outside teaching. Following on from that earlier work, this paper argues that the successful survival of this more recent cohort was grounded in the world of teaching. The subjects demonstrate an ability and desire to change within the school setting. They were committed to drama, but more particularly they were committed to teaching.