Historically, theatre, and indeed all areas of the arts, have been considered to make an unimportant contribution to society as a whole. Until the mid-to-late 20th century, the arts were seen as a luxury and a purely recreational exercise or hobby, with only gifted children having access to classically defined art forms such as music or fine art. This ideology still exists in some form today, although the arts are beginning to be recognized as an integral part of our daily and working lives. Many theater professionals and educators consider the arts to be a growing power within the economy and that drama has benefits for society, culture and a person's inner development. These benefits have shaped the incorporation and provision of drama in Queensland schools. This essay will examine how, by offering teachers a rich aesthetic experience through drama in schools, students are provided with opportunities to develop their own identity and equip them with a set of transferable skills across a variety of learning areas. Within the five key learning areas of the arts (music, visual arts, theatre, media and dance), theater is a highly valued medium in the educational sphere. Its significant position within Queensland schools is due to the broad skills that students develop as they "create, reflect challenges, ritualise, criticize and celebrate" (The Arts Years 1-10 Syllabus 2002, p1). In Queensland education, schools are encouraged to incorporate all five key learning areas of the arts. For a variety of reasons, such as funding, demand and qualified educators, the provision of all five services is not sustainable. Therefore schools must choose which subjects they can offer best and which will bring the most benefit to its students. The drama is constantly ...... middle of paper ......cture+-+Christine&course_id=_60659_1&href=/%40%40/E3FDBA07ACC27944B8264AC7F4A0099F/courses/1/KTB201_10se1/content/_3083668_1/KTB201%2520Lecture%25201% 2520for %2520BB%2520%25202010.ppt (accessed 25 August 2009).Hartley, J. Ed (2005), Creative Industries. Blackwell Publishing. Melbourne.Heathcote, D. (1984), Collected Writings on Education and Theatre. Northwestern University Press. Illinios.Queensland College of Teachers (2006) Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers. QCT. Brisbane.Queensland School Curriculum Council. (2002), The Arts Years 1-10 Programme, Queensland Government. Brisbane.Queensland Studies Authority. (2007), Senior Drama Programme, Queensland Government. Brisbane.Radvan, M. (2006), Why do the arts matter? Drama Queensland Says, 29(1): 2-9.Stinson, M. and D. Wall. (2003) Drama, Book 1. McGraw-Hill Australia. Sydney.