If you have a child with a flair for the dramatic, who loves to sing and dance, or wants to be part of a team without playing sports, theater may be the answer you are looking for. Participating in theater can expose kids to music, arts, culture, teamwork and more. Most of the benefits of participating in theater help them in school now. Here are 5 reasons that kids should give theater a try.
1. Teamwork. There are so many different aspects that go into a theater production such as actors, musicians, sound technicians, set building, backstage hands, costume design, and more. The entire group must work as a team to bring the production together, which is no small task. Kids will learn about teamwork in a whole new way by participating in theater. Another great benefit is that they will most likely build some friendships along the way.
2. Communication. Kids will learn confidence in public speaking, voice projection, memorization of lines, and how to confidently carry themselves in front of a crowd. Kids gain confidence by meeting the challenge of performing in front of others and meeting the goal of a successful production with the support of their fellow cast members and production directors.
3. Empathy. As kids examine how the character they play in the production responds and reacts emotionally to situations they naturally learn empathy for others. This is a great skill to have because it helps kids relate to others and understand why people react the way they do in a variety of situations.
4. Responsibility. Kids participating in theater will have to memorize their lines, speak them with confidence, and perform them in order to contribute to the production as a whole. They will also have to maintain any other responsibilities at home, school, and other extracurricular activities. Kids will learn to prioritize, organize, and be held accountable for their role in the production.
5. Cultural appreciation. Theater exposes kids to literature, history, music, culture, and the arts making kids more well-rounded. They will become deeply immersed in stories and times in history that they may not be exposed to any other way. These stories will truly come alive as they play roles, dress in costume, and literally act out stories from a different time and place.
Theater gives kids an opportunity to express themselves in a unique way that helps them build confidence and responsibility. They will benefit from the skills they build now and in years to come. If performing on stage is not a great fit for your child but they still respect and enjoy the arts, try contributing to the production by designing sets, running the sound booth or lights, or working behind the scenes. Theater truly offers a little something for everyone.
Sarah Lyons is a mom of six kids including 9-year-old triplets. Her kids enjoy many activities including theater and dance.