BLUEWATER BAY — Students at several Okaloosa County schools are getting an early opportunity to whet their acting chops.
Since August, nine schools have welcomed Alissa Clifton to work on the basics with children through the Drama Kids of Northwest Florida program.
The nationwide after-school program is designed not only to help students with their acting, but with public speaking and creative thinking.
“Mostly it’s just about confidence,” Clifton said. “It’s very helpful in the classrooms when they do presentations.”
It also helps fill the arts gap in education following numerous funding cuts, she said.
“I think it’s important to have another option besides just music,” Clifton said.
Right now, 86 students are enrolled. Clifton hopes to expand it in Okaloosa as well as Walton and Santa Rosa counties.
During a recent practice at Bluewater Elementary School, Clifton took the children through line memorization, improv acting and body movements.
Seven-year-old Kyler Bess and his younger sister Keira, 6, love acting, so the program was not to be missed.
“I am a great actor,” Kyler said. “(Keira’s) the best at crying. Want to see her do it?”
Clifton said while not all the students start out as fearless as the Bess children, within a week even the most shy kids are opening up.
Students can enroll anytime during the school year or attend summer programs.
TO LEARN MORE
For more information about Drama Kids of Northwest Florida, visit, https://dramakids.com/destin-fort-walton-beach-niceville-fl/.