STARGATE’S POINT OF VIEW
Drama is one of the most important assets to learn in our lives. Through Drama we learn to explore the way other people think, feel and communicate, helping us understand others and ourselves on a higher level.
Not only this – Drama assists with presentation, voice production, team building, networking and marketing skills helping us with business, employment and schooling.
One of the reasons Drama works so well is that there is no “correct” answer, so participants can safely explore options without the fear of being wrong. This makes them equal in the Drama class and empowers those who perceive themselves as less able in business areas such as voice production or communication OR even in the more conventional subjects such as reading and mathematics. They soon come to realise that all opinions are valid even if they are not acted upon. Thus it builds confidence and makes ‘can’t do’ into ‘can do'.
Improvisation is a key point in drama. By introducing improvisation games, participants learn team building, communication, how to express their feelings and emotions, learn to think for themselves and build confidence and wit whilst having FUN!
A drama class is a safe environment for students to explore issues to make sense of the world they live in. Being a huge responsibility for a Drama Teacher, this can open up sensitive subjects, but this is a crucial element in the role we play. If at the end of the day we have helped deal with a self conscious matter, bullying issue or even assisted a participant with their career, then we have reached fulfillment. There is nothing more rewarding than watching someone become stronger, more positive and emotionally healthy. Drama is a tool that can make this happen.
But it doesn’t happen accidentally. For all the above to occur, the Drama Teacher has to create the right atmosphere and have the knowledge to bring these sensitive points across in a way participants will feel comfortable to explore their inner beings.
Drama is an important subject to the education curriculum. If planned and executed properly drama can provide a complimentary or alternative vehicle for the development of any student. Indeed the Western Australian Learning Arts Statement reinforces this view:
“The arts contribute to the development of an understanding of the physical, emotional, intellectual, aesthetic, social, moral and spiritual dimensions of human experience.”
DRAMA HELPS!
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