Myth: The purpose of children’s drama is to entertain an audience.
Fact: The purpose of children’s drama is for participants to develop speaking skills, acting skills, creative thinking, confidence and self esteem.
Myth: Drama requires repetitive memorization of lines.
Fact: Creative, developmental drama uses new short plays and other drama activities each class. The focus is on skill development – not line memorization.
Myth: Drama classes are only for children who are not interested in participating in extracurricular athletic programs.
Fact: Drama programs are for all children, regardless of physical abilities or sports aptitude. All children stand to gain significant advantages in confidence and in their speaking and presentation skills that a creative drama program provides. In addition, team building skills taught at drama classes help children learn how to work together in a group, which is critical for group projects at school. In addition, most athletically involved children enjoy the variety that drama provides in their lives.
Myth: Drama is only for extroverted children.
Fact: Drama is great for both “shy” and “outgoing” children. Drama can help introverted children develop their speaking skills and public confidence, provided that they are challenged at a pace that is comfortable and enjoyable for them. Often, parents find that, after participation in drama classes, their so-called “shy” child wasn’t introverted after all – they just needed the proper guidance from trained professionals to help “draw” them out. Drama can also create a positive focus and outlet for extroverted children as well as build their diction, projection and articulation skills.
Myth: Drama takes a significant time commitment in order for a child to excel.
Fact: Just one hour of drama class per week throughout the school year, using the right drama program will create significant noticeable differences in speech, creative thinking and confidence in public speaking.