Historically, drama, and indeed all areas of the arts, have been seen as making an unimportant contribution to society as a whole. As recently as the mid to late 20th century, the arts were considered a luxury and a pure leisure or hobby, with only gifted children having access to classical art forms such as music or art. '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 professional lives. Many theater practitioners and educators view the arts as a growing power within the economy and that theater has benefits for society, culture and a person's inner development. These benefits have shaped the integration and delivery of drama in Queensland schools. This essay will examine how, through teachers providing a rich aesthetic experience to students through drama in schools, students are given the opportunity to develop their personal identities and equip them with a set of transferable skills in a variety of areas of d 'learning. Within the five key areas In the arts learning areas (music, visual arts, drama, media and dance), theater is a highly valued medium in the educational sphere. Its important position in Queensland schools is due to the broad skills that students develop as they “create, reflect on challenges, ritualize, critique and celebrate” (Years 1-10 Arts Syllabus 2002, p1). In Queensland education, schools are encouraged to integrate the five key learning areas of the arts. For a variety of reasons, such as funding, demand, and qualified educators, the supply of these five programs is not sustainable. Therefore, schools must choose subjects that they can offer well and that will benefit their students the most. The drama is systematically ...... middle of article ......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 August 25, 2009). Hartley, J. Ed (2005), Creative Industries. Blackwell Editions. Melbourne. Heathcote, D. (1984), Collection of writings on education and drama. Northwestern University Press. Illinios.Queensland College of Teachers (2006) Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers. QCT. Brisbane.Queensland School Curriculum Council. (2002), Years 1-10 Arts Curriculum, Queensland Government. Brisbane. Queensland Studies Authority. (2007), Senior Drama Program, Queensland Government. Brisbane. Radvan, M. (2006), Why are the arts important? Drama Queensland Says, 29 (1): 2-9. Stinson, M. and D. Wall. (2003) Dramaactive, Book 1. McGraw-Hill Australia. Sydney.