What about theatre?

I graduated in the very early aughts and plays were a formative part of my education. At my first school, a DOD school with $$$, the third grade class put on a simplified Shakespearean comedy every year. (Hi, Mr. West!) At my second school, also a DOD school but less $, we put on a play about a gumdrop dragon for the younger kids.

In high school at a very poor, overcrowded school, the Advanced classes still did two Shakespeare plays per grade. My senior year, I finally GOT IT, and did my final book report on Othello which we hadn’t read. (I still love Shakespeare now. Thank you, Mr. Heinz!) we read other plays too. Inherit the Wind, Flowers for Algernon, The Stupid Glass Menagerie, The Stupid Dollhouse, and A Raisin in the Sun. (Hey, I don’t have to like all of them.)

I wasn’t in theatre there but we saw plays too. Up the Down Staircase, Cinderella, and some play about stereotypes putting on a play.

How is it now? I know the literacy rates have plummeted. I wasn’t a big fan of reading plays because to me, they didn’t flow as well as regular books, but perhaps they are easier to digest? What about Drama Clubs? Do they still exist or is it unreasonable to have kids put on a play when the audience will be on their phones, talking, or being general jerks?

Thank you for your replies in advance. My sister teaches in Florida so I lurk here. I’m so so sorry for everything you have to endure. I think you all are awesome!