All the world's a stage

Why should anyone do drama as a priority?  

What relevance is it to the competitive reality of today's world?

Many people see drama as irrelevant  - Many teachers and parents will relegate drama and theatre studies  to a hobby status especially during the enormous pressure of GCSE and A level work.  

It was interesting to watch University challenge for graduates over Christmas to see how few of them had used their chosen degree to influence their current career path. All jobs require creativity , innovation, ingenuity and in particular adaptability and flexibility.  These skills are prized in business and commerce but where do young people learn these subjects?

Drama and Theatre skills enable young people to  acquire flexibility and the opportunity to adapt to the immediacy of a situation.  Drama and theatre skills enable an individual to react appropriately in the moment, when immediate change is required.

How Does this work?

1.  Drama hones voice and movement and thereby enhances communication and confidence

2. Drama improvisation allows young people to practice spontaneity and the right level of interaction - for example - when meeting a new boss.

3. In our fast moving world the people who succeed are those who can think quickly and intuitively and because drama is a team effort every individual learns generosity towards other peoples ideas.

4. Playing a range of roles can help people see things from different points of view and through working on a text participants are able to understand a multi dimensional experience of life.

5. Drama and theatre are fun but can also enhance diverse perspectives of learning and encourage different aspects of peoples personality and character.

6. Participants in drama and theatre workshops are learning to take risks and explore in a safe and supportive environment.  This can give young people greater confidence and a maturity which can filter into other areas of their lives.

7. Drama and theatre skills in education and the community cannot begin too early and our recommendation is that they are fully in place BEFORE any child goes to secondary school.

8. When young people come under the pressures of the exam system that is the very time that there should be more drama to help deal with the stresses imposed upon them. Drama sessions can be a way of relaxing and enabling them to switch off from the expectations of academic study.

What do you think? Has drama had an impact on your child's life?