Used constructively, competition can improve a student's enthusiasm and motivation for work in theatre. Competition has the potential to stimulate students to try their best; however, the thoughtfulness and quality of student work will suffer if competition is valued above all else, without emphasis on the importance of individual growth and personal goals in the context of learning the Theatre TEKS.

The following questions can be used by theatre educators and program developers as guidelines to evaluate the appropriateness of competitions:

• Is student learning the activity's primary goal?
• Are the rules and criteria for judging aligned with the standards outlined in the Theatre TEKS and the local curriculum?
• Will the competition challenge students beyond their current range of skill and understanding, causing them to lose focus of their processes of discovery and creative development?

Ultimately, each teacher's approach to competition determines the value of competitive experiences. Competition can be a tool for engaging students in learning if teachers choose activities and events that support the goals and skill levels of their students.