Jvivona
August 31st, 2005, 12:39 AM
Drama Kids of N. Nassau County Offers Five Myths and Facts of Drama Education
Expert Advice for Parents from Internationally Noted After-School Drama Program
Drama Kids of N. Nassau County, part of an international franchise organization whose proven drama skills program builds communication skills and confidence in children, offers the following five tips for parents to help develop strong speaking skills in their children.
“We help students realize their creative potential,” said Jerome Vivona, a twenty year veteran of Broadway, television and film, and owner of Drama Kids of N. Nassau County. “We’re not aiming to create Broadway stars; rather we are building creative thinking skills, communication skills, confidence and self-esteem. These skills are not being taught in the classroom and are important for success later in life. The program is great for all kids regardless of acting ability and is delivered in a fun and positive environment.”
Below, Jerome Vivona offers the following “myths and facts” about drama classes, including the benefits of drama education offered by Drama Kids of N. Nassau County:
Myth: The purpose of children's drama is to entertain an audience.
Fact: The purpose of children’s drama is for participants to develop speaking skills, acting skills, creative thinking, confidence and self-esteem.
Myth: Drama requires repetitive memorization of lines.
Fact: Creative, developmental drama uses new short plays and other drama activities each class. The focus is on skill development - not line memorization.
Myth: Drama classes are only for children who are not interested in participating in extracurricular athletic programs.
Fact: Drama programs are for all children, regardless of physical abilities or sports aptitude. All children stand to gain significant advantages in confidence and in their speaking and presentation skills that a creative drama program provides. In addition, team-building skills taught at drama classes help children learn how to work together in a group, which is critical for group projects at school. In addition, most athletically involved children enjoy the variety that drama provides in their lives.
Myth: Drama is only for extroverted children.
Fact: Drama is great for both “shy” and “outgoing” children. Drama can help introverted children develop their speaking skills and public confidence, provided that they are challenged at a pace that is comfortable and enjoyable for them. Often, parents find that, after participation in drama classes, their so-called “shy” child wasn’t introverted after all – they just needed the proper guidance from trained professionals to help “draw” them out. Drama can also create a positive focus and outlet for extroverted children as well as build their diction, projection and articulation skills.
Myth: Drama takes a significant time commitment in order for a child to excel.
Fact: Just one hour of drama class per week throughout the school year, using the right drama program will create significant noticeable differences in speech, creative thinking and confidence in public speaking.
ABOUT DRAMA KIDS
Drama Kids of N. Nassau County is part of the largest after-school drama program in the world, with more than 45,000 students currently at its 1,000 plus locations both in the United States and internationally. Its copyrighted curriculum features original, creative lessons with a built-in advancing scale of language development that enables students of different ages and abilities to relate to the program and progress at a their own rate. Its curriculum differs significantly from traditional drama programs, with an emphasis on activities that focus on verbal dynamics, creative movement and dialogue development.
Drama Kids of N. Nassau County offers age-appropriate classes for students ages 5 through 17 years old. Broadway professionals teach classes. Classes meet once each week for one hour at locations throughout N. Nassau County. The program is designed to allow new enrollment throughout the year, space permitting. Drama Kids also offers Summer Camp and an In School program that brings its innovative curriculum directly into the classroom. For more information, contact 516-876-4ACT (4228) and/or visit www.dramakids.com (http://www.dramakids.com).
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Expert Advice for Parents from Internationally Noted After-School Drama Program
Drama Kids of N. Nassau County, part of an international franchise organization whose proven drama skills program builds communication skills and confidence in children, offers the following five tips for parents to help develop strong speaking skills in their children.
“We help students realize their creative potential,” said Jerome Vivona, a twenty year veteran of Broadway, television and film, and owner of Drama Kids of N. Nassau County. “We’re not aiming to create Broadway stars; rather we are building creative thinking skills, communication skills, confidence and self-esteem. These skills are not being taught in the classroom and are important for success later in life. The program is great for all kids regardless of acting ability and is delivered in a fun and positive environment.”
Below, Jerome Vivona offers the following “myths and facts” about drama classes, including the benefits of drama education offered by Drama Kids of N. Nassau County:
Myth: The purpose of children's drama is to entertain an audience.
Fact: The purpose of children’s drama is for participants to develop speaking skills, acting skills, creative thinking, confidence and self-esteem.
Myth: Drama requires repetitive memorization of lines.
Fact: Creative, developmental drama uses new short plays and other drama activities each class. The focus is on skill development - not line memorization.
Myth: Drama classes are only for children who are not interested in participating in extracurricular athletic programs.
Fact: Drama programs are for all children, regardless of physical abilities or sports aptitude. All children stand to gain significant advantages in confidence and in their speaking and presentation skills that a creative drama program provides. In addition, team-building skills taught at drama classes help children learn how to work together in a group, which is critical for group projects at school. In addition, most athletically involved children enjoy the variety that drama provides in their lives.
Myth: Drama is only for extroverted children.
Fact: Drama is great for both “shy” and “outgoing” children. Drama can help introverted children develop their speaking skills and public confidence, provided that they are challenged at a pace that is comfortable and enjoyable for them. Often, parents find that, after participation in drama classes, their so-called “shy” child wasn’t introverted after all – they just needed the proper guidance from trained professionals to help “draw” them out. Drama can also create a positive focus and outlet for extroverted children as well as build their diction, projection and articulation skills.
Myth: Drama takes a significant time commitment in order for a child to excel.
Fact: Just one hour of drama class per week throughout the school year, using the right drama program will create significant noticeable differences in speech, creative thinking and confidence in public speaking.
ABOUT DRAMA KIDS
Drama Kids of N. Nassau County is part of the largest after-school drama program in the world, with more than 45,000 students currently at its 1,000 plus locations both in the United States and internationally. Its copyrighted curriculum features original, creative lessons with a built-in advancing scale of language development that enables students of different ages and abilities to relate to the program and progress at a their own rate. Its curriculum differs significantly from traditional drama programs, with an emphasis on activities that focus on verbal dynamics, creative movement and dialogue development.
Drama Kids of N. Nassau County offers age-appropriate classes for students ages 5 through 17 years old. Broadway professionals teach classes. Classes meet once each week for one hour at locations throughout N. Nassau County. The program is designed to allow new enrollment throughout the year, space permitting. Drama Kids also offers Summer Camp and an In School program that brings its innovative curriculum directly into the classroom. For more information, contact 516-876-4ACT (4228) and/or visit www.dramakids.com (http://www.dramakids.com).
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