The Benefits of Theatre Arts
Research has revealed the positive impact of drama on a student’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.
(The word “drama” here encompasses all the theatre arts practised at Sands – singing, dancing and acting)
What Young People Want:
- have fun
- make new friends
- keep fit & healthy
- learn songs and dances
- take part in a fantastic show!
What Parents
Want For
Their Child:
- confidence
- motivation
- imagination
- fitness
- social skills
Self Confidence & Trust
Taking part in class activities and social interaction enables even the shyest child to take risks in terms of moving outside their comfort zone. Performing in front of an audience teaches students to trust their ideas and abilities.
This confidence is a strength that can apply to school, career and life.
Imagination
Making creative choices, thinking up new ideas, and interpreting material in a new way are all essential skills.
Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge”.
Physical Fitness
Movement in drama games, and particularly dance, improves flexibility, coordination, balance, control and overall body fitness.
PROBLEM SOLVING
Students learn how to communicate the who, why, what, where to the audience; problems that have to be overcome through the rehearsal process.
Techniques like improvisation help foster quick-thinking solutions.
Pupils also learn the essential art (sometimes the hard way!) of how to deal with the difficulties that arise through working with others.
Memory
Rehearsing and performing words, lyrics, movements and cues tightens this valuable skill like a muscle.
Emotional Outlet
Acting, singing, dance and drama games allow students to express a range of emotions in a safe, controlled environment; this can reduce anti-social behaviour.
Co-operation & Collaboration
Theatre combines the creative ideas and abilities of its participants.
This co-operative process includes discussing and negotiating, which can be invaluable skills.
Communication Skills
Theatre arts enhance both verbal and non-verbal expression of ideas. It improves voice projection, articulation, pronunciation, fluency and how to express oneself with the body.
Listening and observation aptitude are also developed through drama games, being an audience, rehearsing and performing.
Concentration
Playing, practising and performing develop a sustained focus of body, mind and voice.
Self-Discipline
The process of moving from ideas to actions to performance teaches the value of perseverance and practice.
There are also many occasions in the rehearsal room and in performance that self-control needs to be employed.
Empathy & Social Awareness
Acting in roles from different situations, time periods and cultures promotes compassion and understanding of others’ feelings and viewpoints.
Legends, myths, stories, poems, plays, songs all teach students about social issues and conflicts from around the world (past and present).
Relaxation
Many drama activities reduce stress by releasing mental, physical and emotional tension.
Aesthetic Appreciation
Participating in and viewing theatre raise appreciation for the art form.
It is important to raise a generation that understands, values and supports theatre’s place in society.
And of course...FUN!
Drama brings games, laughter, and humour to learning, which all improve motivation and help reduce stress.
Research by Jonas Basom, President & Founder of the Drama Education Network.
More information can be found on “The Drama Game File 2nd Edition CD-ROM for Arts and Literacy”. which is available at www.DramaEd.net
