MACT

Theatre plays an invaluable role in our students’ lives, igniting their imaginations, amplifying their voices, and fostering a vibrant community of artistic expression. All students should have access to a high-quality theatre education and the benefits theatre programs reap. Here are just a few of the many wonderful ways theatre contributes to helping students thrive:

• Theatre Develops Creativity and Imagination
  • As actors, creators, directors, and more, students will be able to use their imagination and think outside the box. Theatre immensely helps students hone their artistic skills, creating open-minded thinkers and well-rounded individuals.
• Theatre Builds Confidence
  • Theatre provides a safe and supportive environment for students to explore their emotions and develop self-confidence. Theatre educators curate a safe space for students to take social risks and express themselves freely, which can help to build their self-esteem.
• Theatre Encourages Critical Thinking
  • Theatre undoubtedly encourages students to think critically, on the same if not a deeper level than the typical English curriculum. Critical thinking is a vital life skill that can help individuals make informed decisions, solve complex problems, and evaluate information effectively- and why wouldn’t we want our students to have that?
• Theatre Improves Communication Skills
  • Through rehearsals, performances, casses, and feedback sessions, students learn how to effectively use verbal and nonverbal communication skills to interact with their peers and instructors. Public speaking is a valuable life skill that can help individuals communicate effectively in a variety of settings, beyond school.
• Theatre Enhances Cultural Awareness
  • Theatre has the unique ability to introduce students to different cultures and perspectives, which can help them to develop a better understanding of the world around them. Cultural awareness helps our students navigate diverse communities as they travel and expand their networks, and is an important skill for succeeding in a globalized world.
• Theatre Fosters Teamwork
  • As a collaborative art form, theatre requires students to work together to create a cohesive production. By helping students to develop teamwork skills, we will see students who are much more confident in the classroom and in their future careers.
• Theatre Nurtures Emotional Intelligence
  • In the theatre, students have the wonderful opportunity to develop emotional intelligence by exploring different emotions and perspectives in character work, scripts, and classroom improvisation. With greater emotional intelligence, students will be more empathetic and understanding of others, which is what we all hope for in our kids.
• Theatre Embraces Self-Expression
  • Theatre requires students to speak in front of an audience, which can help them to develop their sense of self, and therefore improve their self-expression. With theatre programs in our schools, we can help our students build strong relationships, resolve conflicts, and succeed in many different careers.

In summary, the above points show why theatre programs are crucial for promoting personal growth, enhancing academic performance, and preparing students for success in their future careers and personal lives.

Reprinted from the On The Stage website: https://onthestage.com/