Our lives are all pretty busy these days. So, when it comes to finding activities for your children, you want something that makes the most out of the time that your family is investing. One activity that combines a fun experience for your child with important life skills is musical theater and drama. Check out our list of five skills learned on the stage to see how your child could grow from this experience.
- Self-Confidence
Preparing a performance for the stage gives a child or young adult the opportunity to be in front of a crowd and speak in front of others. Through practice, they gain confidence in their ability to express themselves creatively, and to communicate with their peers and the audience. The trust that they develop in themselves will encourage them to attempt other new ventures, and they will find success when they are confident in their own abilities. - Flexibility & Problem Solving
We all know that life doesn’t always go according to plan, and kids who can learn to roll with the changes will experience less anxiety and adapt more quickly to those changes. Improvisational games and other drama teaching techniques help kids learn how to think on their feet, and how to work through mistakes. Learning to move past how things “were supposed to go,” and solve the problem in front of them is a great life skill to learn early on. - Teamwork
There is nothing quite like the feeling that comes from performing together on stage. The weeks of preparation and the rush of performing creates a bond between everyone involved. Students learn how to work together, solve problems and listen to one another. It also creates strong bonds and friendships that last well beyond the final bows. - Language & Communication
Learning new songs, memorizing a script and practicing their lines can help children and young adults to develop their vocabulary, project their voice so that others can hear them, and articulate words clearly so that they can be understood. In addition, they can also learn how to use facial expressions and body language to convey their character’s thoughts and feelings. - Concentration
It takes a lot of focus and concentration to learn lines, and to remember to stay “in character” throughout practice and a performance. Kids can learn how to stay in the moment while performing, and to block out various other distractions. This ability to center themselves and stay focused will be a huge asset to them in school and other areas of life.
If your child or young adult is ready to take the stage, please join us for Shrek the Musical, Jr. This show is a fun and twisted fairy tale that is adapted for young performers featuring a host of over-the-top roles for an expandable cast. With colorful sets and costumes, songs full of laughs and familiar characters, this show is a great choice for young performers.
Ready to take the stage? Join us at Dance Pointe Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, January 10th at 6:30 pm, or on Friday, January 12th at 6:00 pm to audition for Shrek the Musical, Jr. We can’t wait for you to join us!