Purpose: The purpose of this transcendental, phenomenological study was to explore how involvement in theatre arts programs helps to improve social functioning skills (SFS) in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, from a drama teacher's perspective, in middle schools in the central coast region of California. Methodology: A qualitative transcendental, phenomenological study to explore perceptions and lived experiences of drama teachers as they reflected on their ASD students' past participation in a theatre arts program in understanding whether the phenomenon of improved SFS took place. Findings: Participants perceived that students with ASD showed improvements in reciprocal and expressive communication and that they benefitted from expanded social interactions and teamwork. Moreover, (a) peer and teacher mentoring, (b) accommodating, diverse and inclusive environments, and (c) the opportunity to grow in resiliency led to the expansion of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and the acquisition of conscious cognition in the students with ASD. Participants perceived parent and community support as vital, yet they lacked training and resources in fully supporting students with ASD. Conclusion: Expanded and better-funded K-12 theatre arts programs and professional development and training for drama teachers are needed in supporting students with ASD. Recommendations: Future research may study how involvement in theatre arts helps to improve SFS of individuals with autism by exploring (a) studies utilizing a wider population of K-12 drama teachers, (b) teacher training and professional development that focus on accommodations, supports, and inclusive practices, (c) parent perceptions of improvements they see in the children with ASD, (d) the impact of parent and community alliances with K-12 drama teachers, (e) the assertion that accommodating, diverse, and inclusive environments and the opportunity to grow in resiliency further promote the expansion of the ZPD and the acquisition of conscious cognition, and (f) innovations in online virtual theatre arts programs that serve individuals with ASD in the era of a global pandemic. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]