The Benefits of Student Productions

In addition to being a whole lot of fun for everyone involved, musical theatre provides young people with an opportunity to develop the skills necessary for success in the 21st century. Some of these benefits include:

Ensemble Building: By its nature, theatre requires the creative input of all its participants. Students work together to rehearse, construct, perform and promote their show.

Self Confidence: Young performers discover how to take creative and emotional risks and learn to trust their abilities throughout the rehearsal and performance process.

Reading & Literacy Skills: From constantly reading their scripts, immersing themselves in the story, memorizing their lines, and taking notes at rehearsal, putting on a show is an active and engaging approach to improving literacy at an individualized pace.

Public Speaking Skills: Young performers become comfortable speaking in front of a group. Whether performing for their peers during rehearsal or for their school and local community during a performance, students gain expertise and confidence with this valuable life skill.

Self-Discipline: Students learn the importance of being reliable and trustworthy members of an ensemble. Through learning their choreography and lines and actively participating throughout the process, students acquire valuable self-discipline techniques.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Skills: Due to the show’s collaborative nature, all students become valuable in trouble shooting elements of their production. Working out the nuances of a character or a tricky scene change allows participants an opportunity to creatively tackle challenges.

Engaged Imaginations: Theatre is most dynamic when the imaginations of its creators are fully engaged. Throughout the process, students create another world through acting, dance, music and design.

Communication Skills: Young performers discover how to clearly articulate their thoughts and questions throughout the rehearsal process.

Creative and Emotional Outlet: Having a creative outlet on a regular basis is not only part of a well rounded education, but also vital to a child’s well being and emotional health. Producing a show provides growth opportunities for all varieties of learners: kinesthetic learners explore dance and their bodies in physical space, linguistic learners dive into the spoken and written word, and spatial learners devise inventive sets and the arrangement of objects in space.

Enhanced Empathy: Young performers explore the lives of others through character work and exploration of story. Providing participants with first-hand perspective aids in the development of well rounded students and citizens.

Community Engagement: Putting on a show is a fantastic way to connect with our local community. Parents, community centers and local vendors can all help in the creation of sets, props, costumes and publicity.

Cross-Curricular Opportunities: The themes and worlds of a musical provide a rich springboard for cross-curricular connections. Our ShowKit came with lesson plans for English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies and more; all of which fulfill the Common Core State Standards.

Positions Dance Studio will present Annie KIDS on Sunday, May 22nd at 4pm, at Studio Theatre (141 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst, NY11757). The performance will include excerpts from Walt Disney's Fantasia. Tickets cost $8 for adults, $5 for children and may be purchased by contacting Positions Dance Studio at (631) 669-8612. Those who do not attend will receive a personal audience with Ms. Hannigan.