Community Corner
See if classes are offered near you at your child's school by clicking the "OUR SCHEDULE" link at the top of the page. Continue to check back frequently for updated schedules and added classes.
For those of you new to Drama Kids, our after school program is specially designed to build self-confidence, as well as strong speaking and acting skills through the fun and creativity of drama. We believe that enthusiastic students who speak out clearly and relate confidently with their peers develop skills that make the journey through life much easier. Above all, our drama classes are fast paced, great fun, and have new activities each week!
Best part of it, there's no stressful TRY-OUTS and no redundant rehearsals. Drama Kids is NOT a "production" company. Instead, it provides students with a FRESH, new curriculum each week, which eventually leads up to CONFIDENT students who are eager to show off what they have learned!
All of our teachers are background checked (both criminal and sex offender reports are completed), CPR/1st AID certified, and trained extensively through the Drama Kids curriculum. Plus, the majority of our teachers are either certified classroom teachers, professional actors/actresses, performers, or a combination of all. All of our teachers have experience working with children and hold a MINIMUM of a Bachelors Degree in Education or the Arts. Many have received graduate level degrees as well.
Locations,
Wayland
Loker Elementary School
Claypit Hill Elementary School
Happy Hollow Elementary School
Youth Program Recreation Dept
Weston
After School Program Recreation Dept
Franklin
Youth Program, Franklin Recreation Dept
Medway
Community Education Program, @Memorial school
Westwood
Martha Jones Elementary School
Sheehan Elementary School
NESA – New England Sports Academy
Medfield
Youth Program Recreation Dept, Pfaff Center
Click on "OUR SCHEDULE" to find out how to get your child involved.
We (Susie and Julie) were blown away when we found Dramakids on the web. We were both searching for teaching jobs at the time. We realized that this program makes an incredible and positive impact on children's lives and we knew right away that we would be a part of it!
Susie has a BA in Theater from Cal State Long Beach. When she realized that there was a need for arts education in the school system she went back to school to become a teacher. She has a Certification in Early Childhood Education and has been working with children for 16 years. She is THE "Miss Susie" in her town!
Julie has a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. In her high school and college years she enjoyed being a camp counselor and working with children. In the past years she has started her own Stationery business and Children and Adult Accessory line. The entrepreneur in her is very excited for this opportunity to focus on and grow the Drama Kids business in the Metro West region!
We are really looking forward to bringing this amazing programs to the children of our communities!!
In the News
Our First Recreation Dept. Partnership - (2009-10-19)
Franklin Recreation Dept is our first Partnership!!
Julie, Ryan Jette and Susie are very excited to be bring DramaKids to Franklin!!
Classes start Nov. 9 at 4:30 on the 2nd Floor in the Franklin Recreation Dept. bldg!
Contact us NOW to get us in a town near you!
- (2009-10-30)
WHAT SCARES CHILDREN (and most Adults) THE MOST?
Expert Advice for Parents from Internationally Noted After-School Drama Program
Metro West Area – It’s not ghosts or goblins that children fear the most. Studies have shown that one of the biggest fears children (and most adults) have is the fear of public speaking. Having to stand up and speak in a room full of people can send a shivering chill down the spine of even the bravest of souls. The Boston Globe reported in January, 2009 that the fear of public speaking is the number 1 fear ahead of such ghoulish things as spiders, snakes and confined spaces. Drama Kids International, Inc. part of an international franchise organization whose proven drama skills program builds communication skills and confidence in children, offers the following five tips for parents to help develop strong speaking skills in their children to help them overcome their largest fear.
“Just like adults, children need strong communication skills to succeed in life,” said Susie Cristiano who owns and operates Drama Kids of Metro West. ”By learning to speak with confidence, children will excel at basic school activities, such as giving a report to the class, reading aloud in a group setting or participating in discussions. It’s never too early to start practicing communication skills. Later on, they can apply these skills to a job interview situation, or giving a presentation at a board meeting.”
Cristiano and Perryman offer the following tips that parents can easily adopt at home to improve their children’s communication/speaking skills:
1) Listen to what your child is saying. Children must feel that what they say is important. Put down the paper, turn off the TV or car radio, and converse. Knowing that you are listening to them will reinforce their confidence in speaking to you and to others.
2) Practice developing strong eye contact. Require that your child look into your eyes whenever they speak to you. Then challenge them to do the same when talking to anyone else. Praise them when you see this happening.
3) Develop articulation. Use tongue twisters to emphasize articulation in a fun way. Concentrate on correct articulation. Do not allow the child to speak too fast at the cost of poor articulation.
4) Ask open-ended questions that require more than a `yes’ or `no’ answer. For example – “Tell me more about...” or, “How did you feel when that occurred?” If you need a subject to discuss, perhaps read a small story to your child, then ask hypothetical questions about what might happen next, or which character they liked. Older children can be involved in discussing national news events, or school activities.
5) Don’t speak for your child. Encourage children to speak for themselves. Have children place their own orders at restaurants. The practice of speaking to others in a clear voice is well worth the extra time that it may take to get your food.
Encouraging and practicing public speaking will definitely allow your child to gain comfort with this important skill and turn their fear into a sense of pride and accomplishment.
ABOUT DRAMA KIDS
Drama Kids of Metro West is part of the largest after-school drama program in the world, with more than 50,000 students currently at its 1,500 plus locations both in the United States and internationally. Its copyrighted curriculum features original, creative lessons with a built-in advancing scale of language development that enables students of different ages and abilities to relate to the program and progress at a their own rate. Its curriculum differs significantly from traditional drama programs, with an emphasis on activities that focus on verbal dynamics, creative movement and dialogue development.
Drama Kids of Metro West offers age-appropriate classes for students ages 5 through 17 years old. Classes meet once each week for one hour at locations throughout Metro West. The program is designed to allow new enrollment throughout the year, space permitting. Drama Kids also offers Summer Camp and an In School program that brings its innovative curriculum directly into the classroom. For more information, contact Susie Cristiano and Julie Perryman 617-391-0369 and/or visit www.dramakids.com/ma4.
Pictures from our first class!! - (2009-11-10)
What a great and exciting first class we had!!
Everyone had a great time...especially Julie and I! It was so great to see our dream come to life and watch the kids really enjoy it!
Back to Top
Real Stories from Metro West
Parents
The Class Rocks!Drama kids class does rock! My 6year olds loved it so much they want to join the next class. It’s so much fun!
Kate Wallis
Mom to Gavin and Kiley!
Hi,
I just wanted to let you know how impressed I am with this program! My daughter had her first "acting class" yesterday. She, reluctantly, walked into the drama room as a shy child I was sure wasn't going to make it through the hour. When she came bouncing out an hour later, she was smiling from ear to ear and talking non-stop about how much fun she had, what they did, and the new friends she made! I highly recommend this program to every parent out there.
Jennifer Roberts
Hi Julie,
I just wanted to write and tell you how amazing Drama Kids has been for Bella. Going into the class neither one of us were sure what to expect and as a shy 5 yr old she was more than a little tentative and nervous. Your patience, and warmth has allowed her to completely open up and she has gone from sitting and watching to speaking up and participating! I am so pleased with her growth in her confidence in herself. Her teachers have even noticed a difference with her interactions at school with both them and her peers. What a wonderful program! Thank you and we plan on joining again in the Fall.
Best Wishes, Stacia
Hi Julie,
I just wanted to write and tell you how amazing Drama Kids has been for Bella. Going into the class neither one of us were sure what to expect and as a shy 5 yr old she was more than a little tentative and nervous. Your patience, and warmth has allowed her to complet
- Stacia Boyajian, Wayland, MA -
