Growing In The Arts
School of Dramatic & Expressive Arts
Taking risks in class and performing for an audience teach students to trust their ideas and abilities.
The confidence gained in drama applies to school, career and life!
Making creative choices, thinking of new ideas and interpreting familiar material in new ways is essential to drama.
Theatre combines the creative ideas and abilities of its participants. This cooperative process includes discussing, negotiating, rehearsing and performing.
Acting roles from different situations, time periods and cultures promote compassion and tolerance for others' feelings and viewpoints.
Practising and performing develop a sustainable focus of mind, body and voice which also helps in other school subjects and life.
Drama enhances verbal and nonverbal expression of ideas. It improves voice projection, articulation of words, fluency with language and persuasive speech. Listening and observations skills develop by playing drama games, being an audience, rehearsing and performing.
Drama brings play, humor and laughter to learning; this improves motivation and reduces stress.
Students learn how to communicate the who, what where and why to the audience. Improvisation fosters quick-thinking solutions, which leads to greater adaptability in life.
Pretend play and drama games allow students to express a range of emotions. Aggression and tension are released in a safe, controlled environment, reducing antisocial behaviours.
Many drama activities reduce stress by releasing mental, physical and emotional tension.
The process of moving from ideas to actions to performance teaches the value of practice and perseverance. Drama games and creative movement improve self-control.
Movement in drama improves flexibility coordination, balance and control.
Rehearsing and performing words, movements and cues strengthen this skill like a muscle.
The social interaction and risk-taking in drama develop trust in self, others and the process.
Participation 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.