The Benefits of Drama

In months past we have devoted several columns in our newsletters to the promotion of the arts for all children - specifically music and the visual arts. It seems appropriate to devote time to the dramatic arts as well - theater, plays, musicals, forensics, debate, improv, pantomime, puppetry, etc. 

Though some classify television and film as the dramatic arts, most often people think of the dramatic arts as arts that are performed live. All these arts tell stories in their own ways, and many are performed in a specific venue, such as a theater. (Interestingly the word theatre, or theater, derives from the ancient Greek word, theatron, which means “seeing place.”) In this sense, drama helps us “to see” life and experience it in many different ways. It also is a huge opportunity to showcase talent and to build life skills. 

It is no secret that many gifted children, adolescents, and adults love drama. Many have a flair for the flamboyant, a love of make-believe or an extension of reality, a penchant for self-expression, and a willingness to put themselves “in the spotlight”  for their enjoyment and the enjoyment of others. Dramatic people often seem “larger than life,” and are a delight to behold. Though some children embrace drama early on, others grow into it with exposure and encouragement, and sadly, some never learn to experience its charms. But for all, drama can be highly beneficial. Some major benefits include these:

• It builds confidence. Dramatic endeavors require risk-taking. Putting oneself on display requires confidence, and with each exposure, confidence grows. Drama encourages us to try new things, make mistakes, and expect grace. In most cases, this risk-taking is positive, and paves the way for continued growth experiences.
• It enhances creativity. So many of the dramatic arts build on the skills of fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration, hallmarks of creative expression. A prime example here is improv. In improv, or improvisation, players need a huge repertoire of ideas. When engaging in improv, you “go with the flow.” A cardinal rule of improv is that you must always say “yes” to an invitation to engage, and that requires flexibility because you never know where the action will go. Improv also enhances originality of ideas and the elaboration of ideas. It is a fabulous way to witness creativity in action. If you ever get a chance to witness a ComedySportz production, go! These productions totally celebrate the joy of creative expression. You will be inspired – guaranteed!
• It improves verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Whenever you watch a dramatic production, you witness the power of verbal and non-verbal communication. So much meaning is derived from both types of communication, and when engaging in dramatic productions, one learns how to harness the power of each. Vocabulary is enhanced, gestures, body stance, and nuance are explored, and facial expressions and tone of voice are examined and polished.  
• It develops focus and concentration. Drama requires us to be totally in the moment and to focus our mind, our body, and our voice. In dramatic productions, we become other characters, experiencing their emotions and personalities. Drama enhances empathy by allowing us inside other characters’ heads and hearts. And during a performance, there is no room for distraction; drama hones total attentiveness.
• Much like sports and music, drama encourages teamwork and collaboration among players. In a production, actors must check their egos at the door. No one can pull off a performance without cooperation and collaboration (unless it is a single person presentation).
• It enhances friendships. If you have ever been in a musical or a play, you probably still remember the camaraderie that occurred during productions. The cast, the stage crew, the set design crew, the pit orchestra or band…everyone is committed to the performance. Many lifelong friendships are built around this common purpose. Friends become friends because they are supporting each other. Drama provides the perfect venue for this.

In a recent article in the Washington Post entitled,
How Theater Can Teach Our Kids to be More Empathetic,
​ author Alexandra Moe proposes that the communication skills and empathy often developed by dramatic activities “are the most essential skills for navigating American adult life.” She cites articles about happiness in relationships and marriage, ascendancy to leadership positions, higher self-esteem, and a correlation between academic and professional success. 

Additionally, dramatic learning is indeed active learning, and is beneficial for all students. So how do we encourage it in our children and students? Ideas for the home include:

• Provide time for creative, dramatic play. Avoid overscheduling children and adolescents. Encourage using toys, materials, and time to engage in open-ended creation of drama. Remember that boredom will often lead to drama – both the whining kind, and then the discovery of new and creative outlets 😀.
• Join in on the merriment. Engage in an “opera day” or “opera hour” at your house. Encourage singing everything about your day, dramatizing with flourishing touches. Be silly, be expressive. Model the fun of dramatic play. Sing to your plants; dance with the broom, adopt an accent for fun. Your children might think you’ve lost it, but you are modeling risk-taking and vulnerability for them. Additionally, it can be a great stress-reliever.
• Search out opportunities, often free, in your community. These can be offerings at your public library, through your school system, or community arts groups. Encourage your children to participate and commend them for their choice and dedication.
• If your finances allow it, enjoy theater arts productions in your community or beyond with your children. Watching the wonder on a child’s face is totally worth it.

For educators:

• Find brief moments in your day when you can infuse creative and dramatic activities. Poetry, reader’s theater, improv, creative thinking, skits, plays, etc. are all a vital part of an engaging curriculum. I believe that there are children that come to school because of these interludes from the core curriculum. These are an oasis of refreshment for you, too.
• Encourage your students to take advantage of dramatic opportunities in your school or community. If acting isn’t their thing, encourage them to work behind the scenes. 
• Model a willingness to be dramatic in your teaching. It may feel odd at first, but eventually it will become a joyful part of your toolkit. I still fondly remember my days as Ms. Drizzle and Profesora P.H.I.O.C. (Problem, Hypothesis, Investigation, Observation, Conclusion, a.ka. the purveyor of the scientific method), as do many of my students, now in their 50’s (how did that happen?)

Above all, enjoy the gifts of the arts and share those gifts with children. As always, I welcome your ideas. Together we grow.

Jackie Drummer, Past President and Current Board Advisor

(WATG would like to extend a huge thank you to Dr. Martha Aracely Lopez of Milwaukee Public Schools for translating this article into Spanish for our Spanish-speaking families and educators. The translation can also be found in our website blogs.)