The Importance of Drama

We all love a trip to the cinema, watching Netflix or even a trip to the theatre but watching our favourite actors and actresses on screen or stage mostly doesn’t happen by accident, it requires training and drama education.

People might not even realise that we all have imaginative and creative brains that are used from a very young age, for example creating fun scenarios for our favourite toys to act out or playing with friends as superheroes acting out a daring rescue!

Drama, an arts subject can be studied from a young age with specialist drama schools based all over the world.

On the surface, we know that drama education is the study of acting, texts, scripts, plays and prepares students for being on stage and expressing themselves through performance.

However, as a theatre in education company we find that drama can support pupils in so many other ways! In all of our workshops, the aim is to increase subject knowledge, build confidence, speaking and listening skills and team work.

Drama is a great platform for growth, developing and expressing emotions, finding your voice and using your imagination. There are many who find the constraints of a classroom or lecture a difficult learning environment but the world of drama opens up the space for creativity and kinaesthetic learning.

Studying drama also helps with transferable skills, and not just in school. Skills learnt in drama can be transferred into the world of work and daily life, helping with social events, meeting new people and any situation where you might find yourself needing a little extra confidence or creativity.  

​Drama is ideal for cross-curricular learning and is a valuable tool for use in many subject areas. … In particular, drama develops literacy skills – supporting speaking and listening, extending vocabulary and encouraging pupils to understand and express different points of view.

Drama gives children opportunities to explore, discuss and deal with difficult issues and express their emotions in a supportive environment. 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.

Drama uses the greatest resource that teachers have available to them – children’s imagination. Creative play is a natural part of children’s lives before they start school, helping them to make sense of their place in the world. (https://dramaresource.com/why-teach-drama-to-primary-school-children/)

For those who do prefer the more cognitive side of things, here’s a great article that provides links to research papers and essays about the benefits of drama education - https://thechildrenstheatre.com/21-evidence-based-benefits-of-drama-education/