Drama provider expands to 54 locations in the U.S. due to popularity of program.
Leesburg, VA , August 1, 2014 — Drama Kids International, the nation’s largest afterschool drama company today announced the addition of six new franchise owners, all of whom will be providing its unique developmental drama classes to children in locations throughout the U.S. beginning September 1st. The new owners are:
- Courtney Clarke – Drama Kids of Wilmington, Delaware
- Chris Densmore – Drama Kids of Northwest Indiana
- Kimberly Harbert – Drama Kids of Central San Diego, California
- Sue and Steve Pargman – Drama Kids of Kitsap County, Edmonds and Shoreline (West Seattle, Washington area)
- Ali Shoemaker – Drama Kids of Shelby County, Tennessee
- Norma Thomas – Drama Kids of Denton County (Dallas, TX area)
“We are excited to have the opportunity to make Drama Kids programs available to children and their parents in these markets” said Drama Kids President, Charlie Kerr. “We are very selective with regard to the caliber and experience of individuals who are offered the opportunity to become Drama Kids franchise owners. These individuals will make a very notable difference in their communities by giving children ages 3-17 the confidence to think big, speak up and play an active role in society.”
Drama Kids uses a very different, developmental curriculum in its program that enables children to learn how to think creatively and confidently express themselves. These same skills can be the building blocks that help children achieve personally, academically and professionally. With all the talk today about bullying and low self-esteem, Drama Kids classes meet a great need in our society.
These new franchise owners join a network of more than 50 Drama Kids franchise locations throughout the United States. Currently Drama Kids has over 10,000 students enrolled in its fun-filled, developmental after-school drama programs.
“We continue to aggressively seek qualified new franchise owners in markets throughout the U.S. and look forward to welcoming many more qualified individuals to the Drama Kids network of franchise owners in the months and years to come”, said Kerr.
About Drama Kids
Drama Kids International is 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 development that enables students of different ages and abilities to progress at their own rate. Its curriculum differs significantly from traditional drama programs, with an emphasis on fun drama activities that are designed to allow all students to fully participate and develop acting, speaking, and collaboration skills regardless of age or prior experience level.
Drama Kids offers age-appropriate classes for students ages 3 through 18 years old. Classes meet once each week for one hour at locations throughout the country. The program allows new enrollment throughout the year, space permitting. Drama Kids also offers Drama Kids Preschool Workshops, Drama Kids Summer Camps, and Drama Kids At School, an in-school program for elementary and middles schools that brings its innovative curriculum directly into the schools as part of the school’s after-school program. For more information, visit dramakids.com. For franchise information visit www.dramakidsfranchises.com.
5 Tips to Develop Strong Speaking Skills in Your Child
/in Home Page /by c4hadmin1) 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 your child open ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer. For example – “Tell me more about your movement exercises in class today?” 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. For example, 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.
Drama Kids Removes Common Negative Stereotypes about Children’s Drama Programs
/in Home Page, News /by c4hadminMyth: 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.
Drama Kids protege Caden is on the road to stardom
/in Home Page, News /by c4hadminLike a lot of children his age, 11-year-old Caden Denslow has big dreams of becoming a famous actor. But unlike those other kids, his aspirations of appearing on the big screen are already
taking shape thanks in part to his experience as a Drama Kids student. [Read the rest of the article in PDF format by clicking here]
Low Supply and HIGH DEMAND For Drama Related Activities in Schools = A Great Opportunity!
/in News /by c4hadminAccording to the US Department of Education’s 2012 study on the status of arts education, only 4% of elementary schools offer drama/theater programs. This is in sharp contrast to 83% of schools offering visual arts programs and 94% of schools offering music programs. Couple this with the fact that, according to The After School Alliance, the number of children participating in afterschool programs has increased 57% in the last 10 years, and there are currently 20 million students in the U.S. whose parents would enroll them in in an afterschool program if a suitable one were available, and you can clearly see the incredible demand for, and low supply of drama curriculum in the schools. Great demand translates to a terrific business opportunity!
Read the rest of the story in PDF format.
Drama Kids International Announces Recognition As Top Franchise Opportunity
/in News /by c4hadminDrama Kids International Announces Recognition As Top Franchise Opportunity
Drama provider ranks among the best with Entrepreneur Magazine, America’s Best Franchises and Franchise Gator
Leesburg, VA , February 5, 2015 — Drama Kids International, the nation’s largest afterschool drama company announced today that, in addition to numerous other recent honors, it has just been named as the 36th best franchise opportunity in the 2015 Franchise Gator Top 100 rankings.
“We studied hundreds of FDD’s in an effort to put this list together, focusing on such aspects as financial stability and franchisee retention. Additional information outside the franchise disclosure document was also gathered, and we spoke with several industry professionals in the process,” said Eric Bell, Franchise Gator General Manager.
This ranking is the latest in a number of top honors that the Drama Kids organization has received recently. Others include:
“We are excited that these highly respected organizations have recognized and appreciate the significant opportunities that Drama Kids offers to our franchise owners” said Drama Kids President, Charlie Kerr. “We take great pride in the fact that we provide franchise owners with the opportunity to love what they do, enjoy a flexible lifestyle, make a powerful and significant impact on the lives of children, and build a successful business for themselves that they can take pride in.”
In addition to the fun, fast paced, and developmental curriculum consisting of over 450 unique and detailed lessons, and the low overhead and high revenue business model that the Drama Kids franchise opportunity provides its owners, Drama Kids International is noted for the superior training and support that it provides to all franchise owners. These were major considerations that allowed the company to receive these honors.
Drama Kids is recognized as a leader in the children’s educational and enrichment arena with a proven business model and over 35 years of success. The company uses a very different, developmental curriculum in its program that enables children to learn how to think creatively and confidently express themselves. These same skills can be the building blocks that help children achieve personally, academically and professionally.
“We continue to aggressively seek qualified new franchise owners in markets throughout the U.S. and plan on adding many more qualified individuals to the Drama Kids network of franchise owners in the months and years to come,” said Kerr.
Creative drama program builds kids’ confidence
/in News /by c4hadminThere’s nothing wrong with being a little dramatic. At least not for the participants of Drama Kids of Kitsap, Edmonds and Shoreline, a new creative drama program for children that started this fall.
Read the full story in PDF format by clicking here.
Drama Kids International Announces the Addition of Six New Franchise Owners
/in News /by c4hadminDrama provider expands to 54 locations in the U.S. due to popularity of program.
Leesburg, VA , August 1, 2014 — Drama Kids International, the nation’s largest afterschool drama company today announced the addition of six new franchise owners, all of whom will be providing its unique developmental drama classes to children in locations throughout the U.S. beginning September 1st. The new owners are:
“We are excited to have the opportunity to make Drama Kids programs available to children and their parents in these markets” said Drama Kids President, Charlie Kerr. “We are very selective with regard to the caliber and experience of individuals who are offered the opportunity to become Drama Kids franchise owners. These individuals will make a very notable difference in their communities by giving children ages 3-17 the confidence to think big, speak up and play an active role in society.”
Drama Kids uses a very different, developmental curriculum in its program that enables children to learn how to think creatively and confidently express themselves. These same skills can be the building blocks that help children achieve personally, academically and professionally. With all the talk today about bullying and low self-esteem, Drama Kids classes meet a great need in our society.
These new franchise owners join a network of more than 50 Drama Kids franchise locations throughout the United States. Currently Drama Kids has over 10,000 students enrolled in its fun-filled, developmental after-school drama programs.
“We continue to aggressively seek qualified new franchise owners in markets throughout the U.S. and look forward to welcoming many more qualified individuals to the Drama Kids network of franchise owners in the months and years to come”, said Kerr.
About Drama Kids
Drama Kids International is 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 development that enables students of different ages and abilities to progress at their own rate. Its curriculum differs significantly from traditional drama programs, with an emphasis on fun drama activities that are designed to allow all students to fully participate and develop acting, speaking, and collaboration skills regardless of age or prior experience level.
Drama Kids offers age-appropriate classes for students ages 3 through 18 years old. Classes meet once each week for one hour at locations throughout the country. The program allows new enrollment throughout the year, space permitting. Drama Kids also offers Drama Kids Preschool Workshops, Drama Kids Summer Camps, and Drama Kids At School, an in-school program for elementary and middles schools that brings its innovative curriculum directly into the schools as part of the school’s after-school program. For more information, visit dramakids.com. For franchise information visit www.dramakidsfranchises.com.
New Dramakids in Seattle
/in News /by c4hadminDrama Kids International Opens New Franchise in Seattle Area
Drama provider opens its 2nd franchise in Seattle due to popularity of program.
Leesburg, VA , April 16, 2014 — Drama Kids International, the nation’s largest
afterschool drama company today announced the opening of a new franchise to provide
its unique developmental drama classes in Kitsap County, Washington as well as in
Edmonds, and Shoreline in the Seattle, Washington market. This is the second Drama
Kids franchise in the Seattle market for Drama Kids. A franchise for the eastern King
County area was opened in 2009 and has been very popular and widely accepted by that
community.
The new franchise owners, Steven and Susan Pargman have been long time teachers and
children activity providers for over 20 years and are looking forward to making
developmental drama classes available to children in Kitsap County and surrounding
areas. Susan commented, “We are excited to open Drama Kids in this area. Drama Kids
uses a very different, developmental curriculum in its program that enables children to
learn how to think creatively, speak up, and confidently express themselves. With all the
talk today about bullying and low self-esteem, we feel that Drama Kids classes meet a
great need in our society.” Classes will begin in September, 2014 with registration
opening in July.
About Drama Kids
Drama Kids International is 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
development that enables students of different ages and abilities to progress at their own rate. Its
curriculum differs significantly from traditional drama programs, with an emphasis on fun drama
activities that are designed to allow all students to fully participate and develop acting, speaking,
and collaboration skills regardless of age or prior experience level.
Drama Kids offers age-appropriate classes for students ages 3 through 18 years old. Classes meet
once each week for one hour at locations throughout the country. The program allows new
enrollment throughout the year, space permitting. Drama Kids also offers Drama Kids Preschool
Workshops, Drama Kids Summer Camps, and Drama Kids At School, an in-school program for
elementary and middles schools that brings its innovative curriculum directly into the schools as
part of the school’s after-school program. For more information, visit dramakids.com. For
franchise information visit www.dramakidsfranchises.com.
Drama Kids launched by former teacher
/in News /by c4hadminNowadays people say they don’t like drama and want their kids to stay as far away from it as possible. But there is such a thing as good drama – for instance there is now a new program in
Cabarrus County for children: Drama Kids.
Click here to read the rest of the story in PDF format.
Theater for Kids, Business for Adults: Interview with Drama Kids CEO Doug Howard
/in News /by c4hadminDoug Howard, President and CEO of Drama Kids International, interviewed with FranchiseHelp and discussed the children’s franchise.
Click here for full article