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The Benefits of Drama Education More than just a FUN after–school activity.
We have seen how our daughter Alex has grown as a result of her 13 years of experience in theater.
Drama and theatre production have been a large part of her K-12 education and have changed her from a shy, tentative child to a mature, self-confident young woman. Alex is passionate about her drama education, and the changes it has made in her so much so, that we were motivated to see how we could bring her experiences to children and adolescents in Tucson and the surrounding communities. Because Alex gained so much from her drama education we wanted to help other students grow in the same way!
Alex has developed emotional intelligence and other skills necessary in navigating through life. It was in improve class that she learned to hush her inner critic, and where she learned how to use the discomfort of the unexpected to her advantage. Taking act
ing risks has taught her to trust the creative process and know that all the answers she will ever need are available to her as long as she is willing to try a few things, let go of some others, and think outside of the box. Acting has allowed her to take risks, learn to laugh at herself, and get over her fear of the sound of her own voice. She has learned how to speak up clearly and to not be shy. Her engagement in theater has given her the confidence to say NO to peers and adults when she really needs to.
Through theater, Alex has learned to see subtle details in human relationships and make connections between seemingly different concepts. And, most importantly, drama has taught her to be present in the moment. Also, the characters she plays often teach her more than she bargains for. T
erms such as apartheid or concentration camp were concepts to be memorized for some test, but not something Alex, who had never been to South Africa or Auschwitz, could really understand emotionally. It was her role as the narrator in The Border Town and as Mrs. Katzberg in The Rubber Room, that forced her to begin to understand the emotional depth of segregation, hatred, and hope.
These are the “feel-good” examples of why drama education is important for personal growth. However, we also know the times are quickly changing. We are leaving what has become known as the Information Age, an era when so many jobs have required sequential and analytical “left-brain” skills. Those skills, while necessary, are in our opinion, far from sufficient.
When so many jobs are being shipped overseas or can be performed by computers, there is new value in jobs that cannot be done cheaper abroad and abilities that cannot be mimicked by a machine. No computer can work as a counselor, a teacher, or a nurse. These jobs require creativity and emotional intelligence, the same skills we aim to cultivate in Drama Kids. Yes, we know that drama education alone will not turn your children into well-adjusted leaders of their generation, but we do know that the skills they gain with us are skills they will use every day in their lives.
| Drama Kids International Helps Kids Succeed
By: International drama organization offers Tucson kids an opportunity to boost their confidence while also working on practical skills to make them more competitive in the world at large. Drama Kids International, which has enrolled more than 45,000 students at more than 1,500 locations worldwide, promises to help develop children to their fullest potential, including at the Tucson location. Each week, Drama Kids provides different and challenging scenarios students then work through with the help of highly qualified teachers. According to officials, Drama Kids focuses on building the skills of each child to help them succeed and be more social at school. “This directly leads to higher grades, increased self-esteem and overall school performance,” said Robert Kaplan, the director of Drama Kids International of Tucson. The program runs continuously throughout the school year, except for major holidays, but Drama Kids does offer activities and camps during weeklong school breaks. Classes are only one hour per week, available several times during the week at each different location and class sizes are limited to 20 students, according to the website. Drama Kids’ curriculum focuses on developing speaking skills, confidence and acting skills from children ranging from 3 to 18 years old. The smaller class sizes allow teachers to give students more one-on-one interaction and recognition. Our specialty is using a wide range of unique drama activities to focus on bolder, more outgoing students, according to the website. We also specialize in drawing out shy or inarticulate students and help them discover their full potential. We develop public speaking, leadership, team building skills in students and use drama activities to help build self-confidence, said Suzanne Kaplan, the co-founders and educational consultant for Drama Kids International of Tucson. Drama Kids boasts an expansive library of learning experiences that the program is structured so that students can join while in kindergarten and continue on through 12th grade — all without repeating a lesson. The Drama Kids “secret sauce” for success includes a fun, fast paced and developmental curriculum with more than 450 detailed lesson plans that ensure happy and successful students. Drama Kids performances are scheduled twice a year, with a mid-year performance typically in late January/early February and a year-end production slated for mid-June. All students are on stage for the performances. Bullying The ‘Act UP!’ program will use group discussions, student-participatory drama and other related activities to teach children about the various forms of bullying. Bullying, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, is the most common form of violence in our society — between 15 to 30 percent of students are either bullied or are bullies themselves. “Drama Kids maintains that drama is a fundamental part of education that teaches children to speak out clearly and relate confidently with peers,” Kaplan said. |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Robert Kaplan
Executive Director
Drama Kids International of Tucson
520-304-2876
dramakidsaz1@cox.net
Drama Kids International of Tucson Presents:
ACT UP! To Stop Bulling
Local drama program providing important education program in Tucson area
Tucson, Arizona June. 6 2017 – Robert Kaplan, director of Drama Kids International of Tucson, announces an exciting new STOP BULLYING program to be offered at schools, community groups and churches in the local community.
“We are excited to offer this program in the local community, and look forward to the opportunity to show parents and educators how Drama Kids can introduce children to a curriculum that will help them understand and combat bullying while also enhancing their academic experience through fun, positive and educational activities,” said Kaplan. “This program provides yet another way for us to give back to our community.”
Bullying is the most common form of violence in our society – between 15% and 30% of students are bullies or victims. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Justice reports that younger students are more likely to be bullied than older students.
Drama Kids, the national leader in developmental drama education, is now offering a series of fun and educational Act Up! to Stop Bullying workshops for 3rd through 5th graders to schools, churches, and community organizations in order to educate students on the harmful effects of bullying. Act Up! to Stop Bullying uses group discussions and student participatory drama – related activities to teach children about the various forms of bullying and the ways that students can properly respond to each type of bullying. “We believe that the more that bullying is discussed with children, and the more that awareness is raised, the less bullying will occur. This directly leads to higher grades, increased self-esteem and overall school performance” said Kaplan.
Drama Kids is proud to offer this program to community centers, libraries, schools, and churches. Call or e-mail Drama Kids today to learn more about how Drama Kids can help students Act Up to Stop Bullying and make a “dramatic” difference in the lives of children.
Since Kaplan and his wife, Suzanne, opened the Tucson franchise in June 2016, children and teens have been able to experience the positive impacts of drama in their lives. Drama Kids provides creative lessons with a built-in advancing scale of language development that enables students of various ages and abilities to progress at their own rate and comfort level. According to Kaplan, the programs really emphasize activities that focus on confident public speaking skills, acting skills, creative movement, and dialogue development.“Drama Kids maintains that drama is a fundamental part of education that teaches children to speak out clearly and relate confidently with peers,” said Kaplan.
For more information about Drama Kids International of Tucson, contact Robert or Suzanne Kaplan at 520-304-2876 or email at dramakidsaz1@cox.net.
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 language 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 and speaking skills regardless of age or prior experience level.
Drama Kids offers age-appropriate classes for students’ ages 3 through 18 years old. Ongoing 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 Camp, and Drama Kids At School, an in-school program for elementary schools that brings its innovative curriculum directly into the schools as part of the school’s after-school program. For more information, visit www.dramakids.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Robert & Suzanne Kaplan
Directors
Drama Kids of Tucson
520.304.2876
Dramakidsaz1@cox.net
Drama Kids International Aims for Dramatic Results
Drama provider arrives in local area to offer creative arts program that build confidence
Tucson, Arizona August 2016 — When it comes to signing your child up for after-school activities, it is important to not automatically turn to sports and overlook drama and the creative arts. Drama Kids International has announced its arrival in the Tucson community to offer a program designed to build the speaking skills and confidence of children and high school students.
According to Robert and Suzanne Kaplan, owners of Drama Kids of Tucson, Drama Kids’ curriculum differs significantly from traditional drama programs, with an emphasis on activities that focus on confident acting skills, creative movement and dialogue development.
“Unlike most other drama centers, where children memorize and recite lines for a performance, the Drama Kids curriculum utilizes fun, creative and interactive activities that aim to improve communication skills and build confidence and self-esteem. Drama Kids stresses the importance of drama as a fundamental part of education that teaches children to speak out clearly and relate confidently with peers,” said Robert.
“We are very excited to be a part of the local community and offer a chance for children to take part in fun drama activities that will enhance their academic experience!” said the Kaplans.
For more information on Drama Kids of Tucson, please contact Robert or Suzanne Kaplan at 520. 304.2876 or email dramakidsaz1@cox.net
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 language 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 and speaking 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 Camp, 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 www.dramakids.com.
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