12 Jul Discovering Star Quality
“All the world’s a stage, the men and women merely players.” (Shakespeare, As You Like It). As one of the new classes being offered at South Hills Academy’s summer program, drama in grades 1-4 and 5-8 offer students a chance to explore the world around them and the world(s) of their imaginations.
Our SHA drama students are learning how to turn storybooks into stage productions, reading and performing monologues, playing improv games that compel them to think on their feet, and analyzing the components of musical theatre and the impact the arts have had and still have on society today.
The benefits of an education that includes a focus on dramatic arts are exceptionally valuable. Numerous studies have demonstrated a correlation between drama involvement and academic achievement. In addition to having higher standardized test scores than their peers who do not experience the arts, student who participate in drama often experience improved reading comprehension, maintain better attendance records, and stay generally more engaged in school than their non-arts counterparts.
One of most important lessons that students learn in drama classes is the power of empathy. A great literary quote that comes from the character of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird states, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee, 46). In drama class, the students are climbing into the skin of various characters and learning to think and feel as another individual would feel. This is a skill that will be needed in the various career paths our students choose.
Also, drama class is about having fun and trying new things. So much of the time, we as humans are afraid of how we look to each other. Am I too weird? Do I stand out too much? Am I too loud? Why can’t I just fit in? In drama class, the more you stand out, the better! It’s all about being creative, new, fun, outrageous, and having a safe space to be expressive! God gave each of us creative talents. In the very first verse of the Bible, it states that “In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth.” (Genesis 1:1 NIV) God made us in His image, and He meant for us to be creative and talented human beings. One of those talents is being great storytellers, which is one of the things we strive for in drama class. To be creative and expressive storytellers, ready to share our stories with the world around us!