What is the role of theatre in school education? | Theatre for children

A big bang.....what was it? sound from a theatre for children..... when I entered the auditorium, a musical performance was underway on the song of Justin Timberlake "can't stop the feeling". Another epic performance was ongoing in a hall attached to the auditorium. In the courtyard, Street theatre(nukkar Natak) was in progress on child labour which instantly made me recall the acclaimed movie "Stanley ka Dabba."Action, movement and excitement were unstoppable. Variety of costumes, masks, make up artists, sound engineers added to the liveliness of the environment. I stood in a corner recalling how during childhood even small roles in school plays and dance dramas would always keep us electrified to spare no efforts in rehearsals. The theatre is not arrested in time. Originating from Greece, it has stood the test of time and come a long way to the improvisational theatre to the novel concept of online theatre.

It was on World theatre day,27 March, I had gone to meet a friend who was part of a theatre group The Stage. The group active in Delhi-NCR is working to promote young talents who are afraid to come out due to stage fear. The children of this group have many applauds to their credit, one of them being All India radio award 2020. They participate in intra school and inter-school competitions. The group is gradually expanding its wings and collaborating with educational institutions to train young minds.

©The Stage

What is theatre?

A theatre is a feast for eyes- live performances before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. A theatre concert is a beautiful blend of different people from diverse backgrounds coming together. They set aside their differences, shed their inhibitions and perform as one while helping each other.

What is the role of theatre in school education?

Oscar Wilde rightly remarked, "I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” This sums up the role of theatre in education. The art has been proven to improve academic achievement, spark innovations, and strengthen the inner core of kids. 

 How theatre shapes the persona of kids?|Theatre for children

• Self-discipline becomes dictum:  Children become more conscious of their responsibilities. They start taking charge of their life, follow a daily schedule to divide time among various activities and academics.

• Enhances self-Confidence: A live performance of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place is no joke. For me, it is far more difficult to perform on stage before an unknown audience than reciting a poem in class before peers. Working in a team makes kids more efficient and confident.

• Teaches cooperation/collaboration:  The children experience the power of efforts made together because theatre combines the creative ideas and abilities from its participants. This kindles the spirit of collective responsibility and self-efficacy.

• Sparkles imagination: In a world addicted to technology, imagination knows no boundary. The platform of theatre promises children an outlet for sowing seeds of their choices, reasoning new ideas and exhibiting their thoughts in writing. Theatre also makes all the participants share their opinions and showcase their creativity in whatever aspect possible. It has been observed that many times young minds surprise mentors by their presence of mind.

• Promotes concentration:  Theatre is a performing art in which all parts of the body are aligned to achieve a common goal. Practise sessions boost brain training to achieve sustained focus of mind, body, and speech which help in better concentration in academics as well. Music acts as a relaxation therapy for rational thinking and alertness of mind.

• Inculcates compassion: Compassion makes us happy and also makes those around us happy. When a child plays a character he/she steps into another person's shoes and experiences an emotional connection with the character. Acting roles of different situations, time periods, and cultures promote empathy and tolerance for others. 

• Learning life lessons: A child definitely learns to use what he/she has at his/her disposal. Kids also understand the significance of sharing and caring for possessions. I realize that to be successful in life adaptability and flexibility is foremost. Theatre teaches the child to explore more, face new challenges, and have the ability to adapt to the changing situations.

©The Stage

•  Competency in problem-solving and managing stress: These are key life skills learnt by students in the school theatre. Acting requires analysing a challenge, brainstorming on it and working towards a solution. This amplifies logical thinking approach which unquestionably assists in academics and also leads to greater adaptability in life. Ability to work under pressure, accept failures and then bounce back becomes a part of everyday life. Kids slowly but surely pick up how to handle pressure and keep calm and stress-free.

• Boosts memory: The things of interest are not tough to remember. Children quickly memorise lines of plays or songs because of their dedication and commitment. Rehearsing and grasping the words and movements strengthen the skill of recollection.

• Communication Skills: Theater polishes accuracy and cohesion in the verbal and nonverbal manifestation of ideas. It improves voice projection, articulation, reading comprehension, fluency of language, and art of persuasive speech. Sometimes conveying a message to the audience and communicating with them without actually talking also implies that you have been heard.

• General Awareness: Legends, poems, stories, and plays make students aware of prevailing social issues and the history of cultures existing in past. They get inspiration from biographies and may get an opportunity to play real-life heroes. When you know better you do better(Maya Angelou).

• Fun and excitement: Theatre brings play, humour, and laughter to learning; working together with school friends is like enjoying life with minimal mistakes. Kids add glitter to fun when they bring liveliness on stage by correcting each other during performances on stage.

• Self-awareness: It is nothing but loving and accepting oneself. Theatre is a reflection of our own actions and capabilities.

How can schools include theatre education in the school curriculum?

A theatre advocate Howard Sherman voiced"school theatre is a place where students can become someone other than who they are on the way to becoming who they will be." 

•  Schools should develop a conscious strategy for the application of educational theatre and drama. Theatre is not only for fun but it should be used as an innovative way to sensitise the young generation about important life choices, environmental issues, health issues and real-life situations. 
•  Our classrooms should be an open stage to make learning more effective; in a way, they are-retelling stories, puppet shows, roleplays.
•  All children should have regular access to educational theatre and drama in their schooling; mandated throughout the national curriculum and taught by well-trained theatre and drama specialists.
• Involving parents on certain days to perform with the child to learn real-life lessons.

When children would start finding thrill and excitement in theatre, there would be improved attendance and reduced dropout rates. This may spur the academic graph of school as well.

Tell Me and I Forget, Teach Me and I Remember, Involve Me and I Learn (Benjamin Franklin)

©The Stage

How can parents encourage kids?

It is said that the theatre starts at home. Toddlers imitate and react as their parents. Parents need to display a positive attitude for theatre education.No doubt academics are the topmost priority but only with their support can kids chalk out their daily schedule. Parents are the one who can push kids out of their comfort zones to showcase their creativity although not all kids may have an inclination for acting or music. 

• As adults assist to complete homework similarly they can encourage kids for theatre skills-repeating lines of children play, monitor his/her part by practising at home, listening and understanding child.
• A novel concept of online theatre is evolving where audiences can interact with artists to create performances together. If kids exhibit interest in performing arts, parents may give consent but in their presence.

The true story of a child as narrated by The Stage

 "At the age of nine, I was asked by my teachers to take part in a play, but I refused owing to my shyness in appearing before the audience. A few years later,  my drama teacher forcefully cast me in a play because he knew about my acting skills and my shyness. I earned kudos not only from my classmates, school faculty and parents but became more confident, focussed and disciplined. After that, there was no looking back. "

In recent years there has been an increasing emphasis on the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related classes in school education. Theatre is an incredible tool for enhancing teaching and learning. Theatre education makes kids not only better achiever but a better human being.

I agree with Lolly Daskal"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." Leave a comment below to share your thoughts...