It’s a common thing for parents to wonder what exactly their children learn during Drama classes, especially since it can look like they are ‘just playing’! While we can’t speak for every single methodology out there, today we want to show you more of our approach to drama classes and the things your child will learn in our program.
The Hive Drama Program is focused on developing authentic acting skills using the face and body to express a range of emotions through expression and movement. These skills develop best in an atmosphere of improvisation and dramatic games, under the guidance of highly skilled, experienced actors who can progressively draw out of the child a greater depth of skill. The performance aspect of the Hive program is focused on giving students the opportunity to improvise within character on stage, rather than simply learning lines for a scripted show. The reason for this is that improvisation is a key component of learning to act whereas learning lines takes over all the time within a drama class and detracts from actually developing authentic acting skills.
Twice per year, students get the chance to showcase their acting skills and develop confidence on stage in our mid-year and end-year showcase written and directed by our NIDA trained drama teachers in collaboration with student ideas.
Our Drama Classes are divided in two main subgroups: Drama Bees (3-5 years old) and Stage Bees (5-14 years old).
Children in the Drama Bees age group learn drama skills through expressive drama games, storytelling, exploring and acting out story characters, and role playing. The benefits of drama for this age group are significant in the area of emotional resilience, understanding of other people, cooperation with others and self confidence. Each class is story based using stories from Pamela Allen, Lynley Dodd, Michael Rosen, Aaron Blabey and so many more. A new story is introduced every 2 weeks.
For the children in our Stage Bees level, every term they get to explore and learn more about a different element or kind of play.
Term 1: Colour
In term 1, we explore the world of colours through imaginative play and improvisation. Each week will be themed with a different colour and your child/children will be provided with the platform to let their imagination run wild as they explore all things in their own world pertaining to that colour. At the end of their exploration period, students will be encouraged to combine their ideas in order to create an improvised performance piece.
Term 2: Mime
For this term, kids will learn about Mime in its classic form and investigating how traditional French artists explored the art of mime on the streets of Paris in the 1940s. At the end of Term 2 each class will showcase a performance on stage in our mid-year performance.
Term 3: Commedia Del’Arte
In term 3, students will discover the world of Commedia Del’Arte, which will explore the craft of Italian mask work. Students will learn and discover the personalities behind each of the Commedia’s main characters and learn to embody their idiosyncrasies and physicalities. At the end of this term a video performance will be made.
Term 4: Classical Stories
Our final term will see students investigating script work from various classical children’s stories. Students will spend the first two weeks exploring these stories before each class will have the opportunity to choose their best fit in order to work towards an end of year scripted performance. Roles are cast within class-time in a collaborative manner. A stage performance is held at the end of term.
Our Term 2 classes start on 30th of April. Make sure to enrol your little bee now, or give us a call to schedule a visit!