My challenge in Riberalta is to introduce the Benefits of Theatre Education to children and teenagers. Which benefits, would you tell me? Here they are:
Self-Confidence:
Taking risks in class and performing for an audience teach students to trust their ideas and abilities. This confidence will apply in nearly every aspect of their future.
Imagination:
In a world addicted to technology, theatre provides an outlet for making creative choices, thinking new ideas, and interpreting the material in expressive ways that are the essence of drama.
Empathy & Tolerance:
Acting roles from different situations, time periods, and cultures promotes compassion and tolerance for others.
Cooperation/Collaboration:
Theatre combines the creative ideas and abilities from its participants.
Concentration:
Playing, practicing, and performing develop a sustained focus of mind, body, and voice which helps in other areas of life including school.
Communication Skills:
Drama enhances verbal and nonverbal expression of ideas. It improves voice projection, articulation, fluency of language, and persuasive speech.
Problem Solving:
Students learn to communicate the who, what, where, when, and why to the audience. Improvisation fosters quick-thinking, and problem-solving skills, which leads to greater adaptability in life.
Fun:
Theatre brings humor, and laughter to learning; this improves motivation and reduces stress.
Trust:
The social interaction and risk taking in drama develop trust in self, others, and the artistic process.
Memory:
Rehearsing and performing the words, movements, and interactions strengthen this skill like a muscle.
Social Awareness:
Legends, myths, poems, stories, and plays used in drama teach students about social issues and conflicts from cultures in the past, present, and all around the world.
Aesthetic Appreciation:
Participating in and viewing theatre raise appreciation for this art form. It is important to raise a generation that understands, values, and supports theatre’s place in society.
Let’s do it ! Especially in CASA SEGURA,
an orphanage run by Mickael, where 15 children live happily in an amazing home, close to the river, among horses, rabbits, and parrots. It was there that I practiced theatre with those children. We had fun but were at times challenged by some of the kids tidiness…We studied body expression, voice, eye-contact, breathing, and writing…An experience that will be applied in different places in Riberalta such as the La Escuela de Los Tajibos.
Enora ALORY