It is late January at A Grade Ahead in Central Ohio, which means schools are in full swing after winter break. Parents and children are back in the routine of balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities. In my house, the main extracurricular is drama club. All three of my children participate in theater at their schools, and we love it! From gaining confidence in themselves, to developing lasting friendships, my kids have truly benefitted from theater. In this article, I will shed some light on what I believe are the greatest benefits of drama club.
January is a busy time of year, and at A Grade Ahead, we are here to help! Our programs align with what students learn in school to solidify and augment key concepts in math, English, and science through enrichment.
When it comes to extracurricular activities, sports tend to be more popular than fine arts. Indeed, sports are a fantastic way for kids to get exercise, learn teamwork, build discipline, and develop resilience. While sports are great and massively popular, not every kid gravitates towards them. As a parent, I noticed a lack of athletic enthusiasm in my kids at an early age. It came as no surprise since my husband and I are not sporty types. It did, however, make me apprehensive because sports and team-based activities are an important part of growing up. I wanted my girls to participate in some group activity. That is why I decided to encourage them to participate in drama club. While drama is not an athletic sport, it is, in my opinion, just as vital an option. Participating in theater offers many benefits from communication skills, social/emotional skills, academic skills, and more. It is also a great way to get exercise, especially in musical theater and stagecraft.
Academic Benefits
While drama club is an extracurricular, it has several academic benefits. Many high schools even offer theater as an elective for course credit. Theater requires concentration and discipline while encouraging creative thinking and problem solving. Students must read through and learn an entire play to put on a show. This is a fantastic way for kids to practice reading and language skills. Stage crew and especially actors must develop a deep understanding of the script to connect themselves to the story. This is an excellent way to improve literary comprehension. Cast and crew members must also memorize lines and cues, which is a great way to develop concentration and focus. Theater is also a great way for students to practice creative thinking. Bringing the characters and the set to life means transferring the written word to the live stage. This process involves deep levels of imagination, problem solving, and, quite often, improvisation.
Communication and Teamwork
Participating in theater is also a great way to improve communication skills and learn teamwork. Presentation skills are very important in high school, college, and many career fields. Playing a character in a show is a great way to improve presentation skills. Acting requires great voice projection, clear enunciation, and appropriate body language. Actors and crew must read social cues and work with each other for the show to come together. Actors learn the dialogue as a team and develop chemistry on set. The stage crew must pay attention to every scene to manage sound, lighting, set, and costume changes. The entire cast and crew must know how to communicate with one another for the show to go on. This is a great way to learn synergy!
Social-Emotional Benefits
As with any group activity, theater provides a great way for kids to grow socially and emotionally. Having a role in a play boosts confidence and self-esteem. Many kids (and even adults) suffer from “stage fright,” the fear of performing in front of an audience. Participating in theater forces kids to face this fear and hopefully overcome it. Playing a role also teaches empathy. To effectively portray a character, actors must feel what the character feels, ultimately gaining a new perspective. Simply trying out for a role, even if one does not get the part, is a great learning opportunity. Acting is very competitive, so all actors must learn to process emotions and accept feedback in a dignified manner. This is an invaluable skill that serves a purpose in every aspect of life. Finally, theater kids must learn to work as a team, often developing beautiful friendships as a result. From the actors, to the costumers, to the sound techs, theater communities are tight-knit social organisms that offer roles for everyone.
At A Grade Ahead, we love activities that offer a wide variety of benefits for kids, including the benefit of fun! Call or visit an academy near you to get a free curriculum sample, take a free assessment, or sign up for a free trial class today!
Drama Club is full of endless opportunities for children to learn and grow. Have your kids ever participated in theater? Are they thinking they might like to in the future? Let us know in the comments below!
Author: Amanda Hutson, Curriculum Assistant at A Grade Ahead
