Drama Kids is Staging New Fall Classes that Help Kids Do More than Just Act.

The Curtain is rising on an after-school theatre program that helps children do more than just act. Drama Kids International is changing the “scene” of traditional drama instruction, and has recently expanded to include locations in Telford, Collegeville, Royersford, Eagleville, Gilbertsville and Perkiomen Valley.

They are excited to be giving more kids the chance to be a part of weekly classes and workshops beginning the week of Sept. 10th. To find out about classes near you - visit the schedule page at www.dramakids.com/pa1 for a complete listing.

Drama Develops All Kids!
“At Drama Kids, children have fun learning important communication skills they will need to succeed in life,” said Bill Algeo, who owns and operates Drama Kids of Montgomery County. According to Algeo, “The Drama Kids’ curriculum differs significantly from traditional drama programs, with an emphasis on activities that develop more than a child's acting skills. We use a variety of fun, creative and interactive activities designed to improve a child's communication and social skills, stimulate their imagination, and build their self-esteem.”

"It's what we call a developmental drama program. We're really focused on what the children are getting out of the program," Algeo said. The program has something to offer children of any personality type, from the timid and withdrawn to the rambunctious and extroverted. It is very structured and fast-paced, encouraging the kids to actively participate and benefit from each class.

The Drama Kids weekly classes are one hour long and divided by age: "Lower Primary," ages 5-8; "Upper Primary," ages 9-12; and "Acting Academy," ages 13-17. The teen group focuses more on the actual aspects of theater, but reinforces the basic communication skills taught in the lower level classes. Each class is made up of drama exercises that focus on presence, expression, diction, sentence clarity and projection. The students also do a lot of improvisation exercises. "The children are learning to think quickly on their feet," Algeo said.

In the spring, the students in each level will participate in a play with their classmates. The plays are performed at the end of each year and are written exclusively for Drama Kids International to make sure that all of the students are equally included. Children earn more than applause for their participation, they can also earn medals and trophies for achievements.

Algeo, who has been involved in drama for more than 30 years, said Drama Kids is the most inclusive drama program he has been involved with, and that the positive results speak for themselves.

For information on Drama Kids of the Montgomery County, including class times and locations, call Algeo at 215-723-0304 or log onto the Drama Kids International Web site, www.dramakids.com/pa1.