Theatre instruction in LAUSD is diversified, ranging from foundational skills in the elementary grades to fully mounted productions in secondary schools.

California Standards for Theatre fall into 5 strands:

1. Artistic Perception involves observing the environment and constructing meaning from it as well as building theatre vocabulary;
2. Creative Expression is creatively planning, preparing and carrying out a theatrical activity or performance;
3. Historical & Cultural Context provides a rich historical context for students and allows them to look at a culture through the lens of a particular time and place;
4. Aesthetic Valuing is the ability to analyze the feelings and thoughts elicited by theatrical experiences; and
5. Connections, Relationships, Applications helps students become responsible and creative workers, informed consumers, and effective communicators.