"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." - Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)
Here are just a few reasons why theatre is important:
Young people who participate in the arts are:
- 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
- 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
- 4 times more likely to participate in a science fair
- 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
- 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem
- Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
How does it help socially?
- Theatre teaches children how to interact with others (particularly as part of an ensemble)
- Children learn how to trust others
- "Arts education has a measurable impact on youth at risk in deterring delinquent behavior and truancy problems while also increasing overall academic performance among those youth engaged in after school and summer arts programs targeted toward delinquency prevention." (Americans for the Arts) - Children are able to focus their negative behavior into the positive world of theatre and in turn do better in school and life
Young artists, as compared to their peers, are likely to: - Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
- Perform community service more than four times as often
How does it help interpersonally?
- Children learn self-expression (mentally, physically, verbally, emotionally)
- Theatre gives children a positive view of themselves
- Learn who they are at an early age than most through playing different characters and doing acting exercises
- They are generally more extroverted and comfortable with others (as well as themselves)
How does it help creatively?
- Children learn how to apply abstract thinking to other areas of their lives (such as academics and the career world)
- Their imagination develops more rapidly
- The creative process of theatre leads children to be more open-minded and acceptable because of the diverse roles they portray
How does theatre and theatre education benefit my community?
- Theatre provides opportunities for discussion for all ages
- Theatre builds citizenship skills
- People involved in theatre realize the importance of community service
- People involved in theatre build meaningful relationships with members of the community
- Dollars spent on set, costumes, props, and theatre admissions remain in the community