As a teen who’s been exposed to the theatre world since day one , I can tell you for a fact that my experiences with the theater, both as an audience member, and a performer, have enhanced my young life greatly. I have learned important lessons and developed skills that help me in everyday situations in my life. Even though at first I didn’t necessarily enjoy ballet, musicals, plays, and especially not operas, I’ve learned to both appreciate the performing arts and my parents for exposing me to these beautiful art forms.

However, it seems that there are parents out there who are concerned about taking their children along for a night out at their local theatre. What if it’s boring? What if they don’t like it? What if it’s a waste of their studying time? From a kid to an adult, I’ll tell you that you are wasting your time with worrying. Sure, there are pros and cons, but I’ve discovered more pros than cons.

Here are 10 reasons why children should be exposed & participate in theatre…

1. Theatre Teaches Us Important Lessons

Whether it be a history lesson or a life lesson, your child is bound to learn something from the things they see in the shows. After listening to a musical soundtrack let alone, I am able to recite to you the entire life or Alexander Hamilton. Awesome, huh?

2. We Can See That We’re Not Alone

Shows such as ‘Spring Awakening’ or ‘Fun Home’ can help teens relate to things that they are still trying to figure out; sexuality, who they are, what they want to do in the future, and more. Watching a show without being able to relate to it at all is still fun, but watching the show and thinking ‘I‘ve been there too’ is a powerful experience, no matter how old you are. . 

3. Theatre May Give Your child An Idea For Their Future

Risky? Yup. I know. Will your kid be the odd one out in the family? Maybe. Is it worth it? If your kid is happy, shouldn’t everything be worth it? So many people don’t realize that the theatrical world is a large one, and there are way more jobs than you think there are.

4. It’s A Healthy Escape From The Real World

All of that schoolwork or hallway drama can stress teens out. There is nothing better than letting yourself go to perform a show or to watch one. The beautiful cushioned seats let alone should put one’s mind at ease.

5. Your child will develop an appreciation for the arts

As cheesy as it sounds, it’s important. Exposure to the performing arts teaches young people empathy, and a willingness to embrace things in life that are new and different, rather than fearing them. You could go from plays and musicals to things which require more maturity, such as operas or  the ballet.

6. It Promotes Many Life Skills

A larger sense of imagination? Check. Creativity? Check. Literacy? Check. Participating in theater can also give your child more co-operational skills, discipline, and even improved self confidence as well as public speaking. All of these skills are useful with any occupation, no matter if it’s the arts or STEM!

7. It Can Help Your Child “unplug” From Technology

Wouldn’t you rather have your child obsessed with Broadway instead of candy crush? I’m sure you’re nodding your head while you’re reading this. Just make sure your kid isn’t one of those people who sits on their phone during a show.

8. Anyone Can Enjoy It

Got a five-year-old and a sixteen-year-old? No problem! Believe me, I’ve seen an eight year old boy enjoying himself completely during The Phantom of The Opera.

9. Performing Is Fun!

Once, I went from playing a dying, male game show contestant to a ditsy, female council woman. And it was AWESOME!

10. The Community Is Wonderful

Thespians are some of the most humble, talented and amazing people you could ever meet. The more humble, talented and amazing people your kid will meet, the more humble, talented and amazing your child will become.

Post by TN student contributor Nomy Lavrukov

Agree or disagree? Have another reason of your own? Leave a reply below…

The post 10 Reasons Why You Should Expose Your Child To Theatre appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

The stand up comedian Jared Logan has a joke that goes something like this: “I was on academic scholarship and then I used that money to become a theatre major. That’s like if you win the lottery and then just spend it on Beanie Babies.” Upon hearing this joke, I immediately laughed. And then I wondered: Am I laughing because of the truth behind this joke? Has he spoken to my experience as someone with a BA in Dramatic Arts? Or was I laughing because I’d heard so many people make similar comments to me about my chosen career path? Countless people have questioned my judgment when I told them I’d decided to major in theatre, and many openly wondered why I hadn’t chosen a more practical field of study, such as business, and then taken acting classes on the side. But here’s the thing: I knew I wanted to be an actor. Wouldn’t it have been a bigger waste of my and my parents’ money if I’d chosen a more “practical” major, only to devote all of my time post-grad to pursuing acting and writing? Plus, I also knew that if I ever changed my mind, my degree in theatre would qualify me for the pursuit of a Law Degree, and Business Degree, as well as prepare me for countless other careers. Here’s why:

It’s all about how you view your degree, and what you see as its purpose: Many degrees, especially in the arts and humanities, don’t correlate exactly with a specific career path. Instead, they’re meant to teach you many different skills and perspectives and how to use them over the course of your professional (and personal) life. What this means is that these degrees are preparing you for a multitude of different possible futures, and those of us who earn them are able to get creative with our job prospects. This is especially true of a theatre degree. Majoring in theatre forces you to examine and practice every aspect of bringing a production to life— Many of my classmates and I tried acting, directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, stage management, design, producing, and publicity over the course of our undergraduate careers, and each discipline taught us different skills while showing us that they all bear significant connections to one another. So, we learned to apply the skills we learned to several other situations.

I’ve often been asked in non-theatre-related job interviews how I might use my specific undergraduate training on the job. The truth is, I’ve been able to spin what I’ve learned in a ton of different ways to suit a particular situation. I probably learned how to do that in pursuit of my degree—Improvising at a moment’s notice is often required during live performance. Teamwork is another skill employers look for, and one that any actor can say they’ve learned: Who among us hasn’t been thrown into a cast of unfamiliar people and had to devise a whole play together based on one vague piece of text? Okay, that might be a bit of an extreme example, but working in a group is undeniably vital to the production of theatre. Many corporate jobs also require presenting in front of an audience, a given for any actor, and being able to delegate tasks, something second nature to any experienced director. We also know the value of time and deadlines, from being told by teachers that “early is on time, and on time is late.” We theatre majors know how to stay calm under pressure, or at least channel those nerves into our performance, from that opening-night adrenaline. We know how to decipher difficult language from studying Shakespeare and Congreve. Because of our creativity, we’re able to take what we’ve learned in school and use it to work, not only in entertainment, but in almost any field.

So, did I spend my lottery winnings on Beanie Babies? I don’t think so: I realized that my degree taught me how to think critically about any situation I might be in. I use my training every day, sometimes in ways I didn’t even consider while still in school. And when I’m asked questions about, say, my problem-solving skills or how I work in a team, I’ve learned enough about myself in my drama classes to effectively answer my interviewer. Although theatre majors may have chosen an unconventional area of study and career path, we are prepared to take on the world and find fulfillment in doing so.

The post Show This to Your Parents: The “Real World” Benefits of a Theatre Degree appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

How does teaching your art inform your performance? I asked five theater professionals and here’s what they say…

Forrest McClendon, The Scottsboro Boys

When I got cast in The Scottsboro Boys I remember a fellow performer said, “You’re gonna have to give up that teaching sh@% now!” I looked at him with equal parts incredulity and intrigue. “Why?” I asked. I’m still waiting for an answer. I’ve always done both. They feed each other, especially at this point in my career. I do a lot of international master classes and that largely means opening a script I happen to be working on along with my journal. It’s an opportunity for me to talk about living as an artist. In 2017, I performed in a new play directed by Taye Diggs in NYC and then commuted to the O’Neill in Connecticut to lead a workshop for writers, actors, and directors. I’m a storyteller, and making new work and training future theater-makers informs one another. I feel at home where there is a university and an Equity theater. For me, the O’Neill is Hogwarts.

Lauryn Ciardullo, Aladdin

I teach by using the experience I’ve had performing in shows but more importantly taking bits and pieces from my amazing teachers. I like to give constructive criticism by using myself as an example and sharing habits I had trouble breaking as a singer/dancer. For a singer who needs help with a vowel, I’ll start by saying “this is an exaggeration of what you’re doing” and then I will demonstrate. “Try to tweak it ever so slightly and do it this way instead.” We’re always learning no matter what age or how much experience we have. I think of myself as a fellow performer to my students. I hope to guide them as the eyes and ears of someone who may be auditioning them.

Samantha Joy Pearlman, Chasing Rainbows

I’m sure you’ve heard “Those who can’t do, teach.” I knew from a young age that could not be farther from the truth. My first voice teacher, the late great Victoria Mallory, was a working actress, teacher, mother, and beautiful spirit. She modeled what a great coach looked like for aspiring performers. Currently I’m a working actor/musician/director, in addition to a private voice teacher and acting coach. Working professionally in the entertainment business is integral to my teaching work and vice versa. I can more effectively help my clients walk into auditions or rehearsal rooms as I am there, too. I train my clients not only to master their instrument, but also to better navigate the professional landscape for the NYC theater scene. Coaching singers and actors is a deeply creative process, as well as a daily practice of empathy, listening, and collaboration. It helps keep my vocal and acting chops open and active as I dialogue with students. Teaching and performing are about curiosity and learning – I can’t imagine having one career without the other.

Natalie Weiss, Breaking Down The Riffs

I love to multitask and have 80 things going on. My hustler mindset is on 24/7 and I find it hard to take vacations. My friend is getting married in Utah? Great! How can I turn this into a business opportunity. When I first graduated, I said yes to everything, and though it’s hard for me to say “no,” I’ve learned there’s also power in it. I want to give my fellow artists 100% of me, and in order to do that, I strive to find a balance between work and play for vocal, mental, and physical health. I often suffer from imposter syndrome since I don’t have a vocal pedagogy degree and I find myself making it up as I go. But it is those major breakthrough moments with a student that reaffirms I’m right where I need to be. Last year, I had 20 of my regular students join me on stage for a number in my solo show at The Green Room 42. My ultimate dream is to own a pop music school and for the first time, I saw it come to fruition. To combine performance and education for a sold-out crowd was definitely a life highlight and something I hope to achieve again and again.

Michael McElroy, Broadway Inspirational Voices

As a working actor for almost 30 years, I bring my knowledge and craft into every classroom. As a professor of vocal performance or acting the song, I create my syllabi based on exercises that allow the young actor in training to access and utilize lived experiences, develop their imagination, and build their acting skills. I develop exercises and techniques taken from my own acting work and process. Being a teacher that still performs, I must utilize in practice what I demonstrate to my students in the classroom. By teaching and remaining active in the field I continue to evolve as an actor and my students are able to see me utilizing skills that I want to instill in each of them. Those skills are an entryway into the work but also, in a more holistic way, help each student to recognize the ways in which they must approach their craft.

The post Let Me ‘Edu-tain’ You appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

Here are 20 items all drama teachers should have in their classrooms:

1. Book of Improv Games

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If class finishes early, you are stuck for a lesson or are looking for a way to engage students at the start of class, you can’t go wrong with improv games. Amazon offers several choices in books on the subject, or you can purchase sets from educator resource site Teachers Pay Teachers.

2. Box of Costumes and Props

Be it an in-class activity or a school production, having costumes and props available is essential. It may take some time to accumulate a decent stash of items, but start by asking friends or family if they have anything they are looking to get rid of or cruise local garage sales. Dollar stores, craft stores and discount stores are great for finding more specialized pieces at low prices and often have coupons or teacher discounts. Or, enlist the help of creative students or staff to make costumes and props.

Never get rid of costumes and props used in a production, unless they’re borrowed, broken or rented. You never know when they could be useful again. Be sure to find plastic bins, crates or even a trunk for storage to keep your collection in good condition.

3. Sharpie Markers

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Whether you are labeling tape-marked spots onstage, teacher resources or writing on chart paper, Sharpie markers are multipurpose and always useful. Consider investing in a few mini Sharpie markers that come with keychain clips for easy access.

4. Quality Speakers

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Teaching a movement class? Showing a film clip? Just listening to music? Poor-quality speakers mean students can’t hear and will either miss a crucial point you’re trying to make or disengage with the lesson. It’s worth doing some research and purchasing a high-quality set of speakers that will last.

5. Organizational Storage

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Drama classes by nature are more interactive, but that doesn’t mean they have to be disorganized. Avoid chaos and allow your students to have independence by maintaining an organized and structured classroom. Whether it’s bins, shelves, cubbies or carts, the options are extensive. Check out Pinterest for tips and ideas for classroom storage and organization.

6. Art Supplies

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Allow your students to thrive in inspiring moments and engage in the creative process. Having art supplies on hand gives them the freedom to follow their creativity for an assignment or school production. Speak to your administration about budget for such items before purchasing any on your own.

7. Glue Gun and Duct Tape

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There’s nothing this pair can’t do.

8. Jar of Safety Pins

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Basic uses include fitting a costume, but safety pins are also great for fastening items to stage curtains or backdrops or even transforming costume pieces into something completely different with creative pinning.

9. Butcher Paper

Drawing, brainstorming and creating backdrops for classroom performances are just a few ways you can use butcher paper. The long rolls of paper are easy to store, economical and more versatile than regular plain paper.

10. LCD Projector or TV

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Being able to show video clips and multimedia during your lessons is helpful to keep your students engaged and spark ideas.

11. Clipboards

Many drama classrooms opt not to have desks to allow for more space to move around. Clipboards are a great alternative when students need to make notes, write creatively or complete an activity. They also come in handy for productions when you need to organize copies of the script and design notes for members of your backstage and technical crew.

12. Piano or Keyboard

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A piano opens more opportunities for your students to be creative and inventive. A budding Sondheim could be among your students, and creating a space that lets them explore the different areas of theatre could be the spark they need. It’s also useful for musical auditions and rehearsals.

13. Performance Space

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If you are given a regular classroom space, it can be helpful to designate where the “stage” will be. Some teachers create a small platform within their room, while others mark the space with an area rug or colorful duct tape. Remember to review safety regulations within your school before deciding how you will design your space.

14. Notice Board

Find wall space to hang a cork board where you can advertise arts opportunities such as audition notices, community theatre groups, theatre performance posts or post-secondary programs. Check with your administration before posting anything from a source outside of the school, as some schools have policies around what can be advertised to the student body.

15. Foam Ball

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Tossing a ball back and forth around the classroom is a fun way to call on students and engage them in the lesson or discussion by asking the student holding the foam ball to be the one to speak. It’s also an active way to review terminology by having the students toss the ball while quizzing each other.

16. Small Sewing Kit

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You never know if there is a budding designer in your midst. Give your students the freedom to explore their imagination and create costume pieces for their performances.

17. Overhead Projector

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With many schools transitioning to using document cameras and smart boards, overhead projectors are collecting dust somewhere in the school. Rescue them and give them a new lease on life as budget spotlights for performances in class.

18. Inspirational Décor

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Make your room a haven for creativity. Hang up old playbills, posters of shows and examples of those who have found success in creative careers. Also, artwork with motivational phrases can be the encouragement some students need to engage and move outside of their comfort zones.

You can also engage students with fun, decorative items. One of my high school music teachers kept a plastic lawn gnome on his desk that had been given to him by a student as a joke. Students always asked about it when first entering his class, and it eventually became the class mascot.

19. Stage Direction Sign

It is surprisingly easy to forget the difference between stage right and stage left when you are also trying to stay in character, read lines, act, sing or dance. Having a reference poster or two for stage directions allows students to reference it independently and saves you from having to repeat the directions numerous times.

20. Buzzer

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Presentations and improve games can get chaotic and noisy. Avoid shouting to get their attention and use a buzzer, bell or noisemaker instead. Your voice will thank you.

While all of these items are an excellent support for programming, ultimately, the passion for the subject matter is the most important thing to have in every classroom. And luckily, that’s priceless.

What items do you think are helpful for drama teachers? Let us know in the comments below…

The post 20 Items All Drama Teachers Need In Their Classrooms appeared first on Theatre Nerds.