In Surveys of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPAs) conducted in 1982, 1985, and 1992 by the U. S. Census Bureau, randomly-selected interview subjects (age 18+) were asked a series of questions relating to their participation in the arts through attendance at live performances, exposure via mass media, personal participation in the arts, interest in attending more often, childhood exposure to the arts, and related topics. This report focuses exclusively on participation in stage plays. U.S. participation in theater or "non-musical" stage plays increased from 11.9% of all adults in 1982 to 13.5% in 1992--an increase of 13.4% and the largest among the seven benchmark categories studied (jazz, classical music, opera, musicals, plays, dance, and visual arts). This analysis also examines the theater audience and its characteristics, and explores the dynamic forces shaping theater participation. Changes in producing and touring activity are discussed, as well as the evolving nature of the art form itself. (MM)