Why do drama

This requires all those taking part to engage in discussions, feedback, rehearsing, and the performance. Playing, practicing, and performing will develop the ability and skills to be able to focus the mind, the body, and the voice.

It seems obvious to say that drama, theatre and the performing arts improves verbal and nonverbal communication, but it is worth stating that this benefits young people through their life. It improves vocal projection, articulation, tone of speech and expression. Importantly is also develops listening and observation skills.

Drama brings elements of play, humour, and laughter to those taking part — improves motivation and reduces stress. Acting and drama games allow students to express a range of emotions and encourage them to understand and deal with similar feelings they may be experiencing. Aggression and tension are released in a safe, controlled environment — often allowing for a period of reflection afterwards. This is perhaps the most important reason for Dramatic Arts in schools.

Still, there is far more that Drama can do. Like all the arts, Drama allows students to communicate with and understand others in new ways.

Perhaps more than any other art form. Taking risks in class and performing for an audience teaches students to trust their ideas and abilities. The confidence gained in drama applies to school, university, careers, and life in general. Making creative choices, thinking of new ideas, and interpreting familiar material in new ways are essential to drama. Theatre combines the creative ideas and abilities of its participants. This cooperative process includes discussing, negotiating, rehearsing, and performing.

Drama enhances verbal and nonverbal expression of ideas. It improves voice projection, articulation of words, fluency with language, and persuasive speech. Listening and observation skills develop by playing drama games, being an audience, rehearsing, and performing.

Playing, practicing, and performing develop a sustained focus of mind, body, and voice, which also helps in other subjects and courses, and, again, life in general. Students learn how to communicate the who, what, where, and why to the audience. Improvisation fosters quick-thinking solutions, which leads to greater adaptability in life. Drama brings play, humour, and laughter to learning; this improves motivation and reduces stress. Pretend play and drama games allow students to express a range of emotions.

Aggression and tension are released in a safe, controlled environment, reducing antisocial behaviours. The process of moving from ideas to actions to performances teaches the value of practice and perseverance. Drama games and creative movement improve self-control. Legends, myths, poems, stories, and plays used in drama teach students about social issues and conflicts from cultures — past and present — all over the world.

Participating in and viewing theatre raises the appreciation for the art form. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between drama involvement and academic achievement.

In addition to having higher standardised test scores, students who participate in drama often improve reading comprehension, maintain better attendance records, and stay generally more engaged in class.

It enables them to explore their own cultural values and those of others, past and present. It encourages them to think and act creatively, thus developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that can be applied in all areas of learning. Through drama, children are encouraged to take responsible roles and make choices — to participate in and guide their own learning.

Teachers can take a more open-ended approach, concentrating on the process of learning at least as much as — if not more than — the product.