THE BENEFITS OF DRAMA FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - Featured on the Sydney's Child website 'Viewpoints'

Featured on the Sydney's Child website 'Viewpoints' section (www.webchild.com.au)

WRITTEN BY KATHRYN SCHUBACK – OCTOBER 21^ST 2011

Drama teacher, actor and youth theatre company founder, Kathryn Schuback shares some of her experiences on the benefits of drama for young people.

So what are the benefits of getting young people to participate in drama?

I have seen some truly special moments involving young people discovering, what I call, ‘the creative buzz’. That burst of nervous energy, excitement and freedom of creativity; the ability to be whomever or whatever you want, without judgement; the determination to get it right, the laughter, the frustration; and then somebody claps. I have lost count of the number of times I’ve witnessed the smile on a young person’s face when they realize ‘I did it and …I survived’ – THAT ‘buzz’!

The benefits – creativity, confidence, communication, a sense of achievement and learning to overcome those fears that limit our abilities.

CREATIVITY

                 

Earlier this month, in ‘Viewpoints’ (October 6^th, 2011), child psychologist Dr John Irvine stressed how essential playtime and creativity is for kids to develop fundamental life skills.

Drama is ‘play’. It works to promote young peoples’ imagination, which gives life excitement and endless possibilities. Improvisation, for example, is a just one fun way of challenging children to think quickly, to act on impulse and to react to their surroundings. This creativity builds energy through the nervousness that even the most timid child learns to control and, at times, enjoy. Drama encourages participants to think on the spot and make choices - a “real life” skill that is invaluable.

“Cleverly disguised as exercises and games, they learn various techniques with the improvement being clearly visible and audible. I do see that this confidence will continue to extend into general interaction, work and presentations.” (Kevin, father of Drama participant)

CONFIDENCE

Drama workshops offer an environment that is free of judgement. Such spaces build up trust and self-assurance in members where all are respected and encouraged to try new things. Most people dread that moment when they first present something in front of their peers, but if done regularly, along with everyone else, the weight and anxiety gradually fades, especially when everyone is having fun.

A recent ABC’s 7:30 program, ‘Dramatising the Syllabus’, highlighted the push to see “Drama being used as a teaching tool” integrated nationally across the school curriculum, with claims supporting that it has “helped boost children's confidence and literacy”. "There is no better way than engaging children through literacy than role playing characters from a resource they have just read" (Barton Williams, children’s author, teacher and actor). Drama is "engaging, innovative and above all dynamic... where boundaries can be crossed safely". I have to agree, having witnessed this among my students on countless occasions.

“I am thrilled that (my son) has the opportunity to develop his sense of self and creativity in an environment that is well structured, encouraging and nurturing." (Virginia, mother of Drama participant)

COMMUNICATION

Through Drama, young people learn different forms of communication. They explore and practically analyse the effects of body language, subtle social cues and mannerisms through ‘played’ and real interactions. Kids and teenagers who have participated in drama also demonstrate greater empathy towards others. Individually and in groups, they then use these skills in activities, learning to compromise on differences or obstacles to cooperatively achieve an end goal.

Young people exposed to drama are claimed to perform better in school as their physical, mental and creative skills develop. The physicality can assist in the development of gross and fine-motor skills. Young people’s ability to follow multi-step directions can improve, but it is the group work with their peers and their communication skills that benefit the most. These are life skills, which are valuable in school, in the workplace and in all levels of society.

"I have been heartened by the sense of trust and belonging that has been established within the group. These are the values and life long skills that also seem to be embraced in (this ‘drama’) experience.” (Felicity, mother of Drama participant)

Drama is for all young people. It is a supportive environment where expression is fostered and all members grow to explore and understand their world. It is not always about creating the next ‘superstar’ (even if that is a goal for a child and parent); the ongoing benefits for life in general are endless.

“Without play, children are intellectually and socially impoverished. If children don't develop confidence in their ability to think creatively and to trust its messages then the consequences for the world are enormous” (Dr John Irvine – Oct 6, 2011).

Kathryn Schuback is director and founder of Green Bug Theatre (www.greenbugtheatre.com.au). A Sydney-based independent youth theatre company, running Drama workshops and developing productions for kids and teenagers, by kids and teenagers. She has been involved in drama education and performance for well over fifteen years.