HEM’s Questions & Answers – September-October 2009
Aaron (12) is the only student in our homeschool. We are not acquainted with many other families teaching at home. Aaron likes to memorize parts in plays and act out the roles. He is also interested in behind-the-scenes work like set design and costuming. I would like him to be acquainted with other talented young people with similar interests, however our little community theater doesn’t permit young people to try out. What do you suggest? -unsigned
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Tags: community theater, costuming, homeschooling, set design
We have a Venture theatre here. They do improv and kid’s introduction to theatre.
I’ve seen school extensions for theatre work.
Is there someone from the local community college who would be interested in running a workshop?
Could you begin a group with the homeschooling families you know and offer drama in your home or allow your son to develop and perform for or within the church? Some churches have drama as part of their youth ministries. Are there homeschooling groups anywhere near you that might offer enrichment or classes? HSLDA has a website with group info by state. HTH~blessings!
The only reason a young person’s theater doesn’t exist where you are is because no one has created one yet. My recommendation is to check out the Missoula Children’s Theater for ideas, inspiration: “Our mission is the development of lifeskills in children through participation in the performing arts. Creativity, social skills, goal achievement, communication skills and self-esteem are all characteristics that are attained through participation in this unique and educational project….”
There are many children’s theater groups around the country, and there may even be one near you. Just do a web search for “children’s theater” and start exploring! There’s also a lot of great information at eHow (”How to do just about everything!”).
When our five kids were young we helped create a neighborhood theater where our five kids and the homeschooled neighbor kids all gathered at an abandoned nearby hunting lodge each week for what became a fairly serious effort to learn about drama and acting. The kids selected “Paddington Bear” as their play, and largely directed the effort and each other, and had a most delightful time doing so. While the kids never took their play to the stage anywhere, at least two of the kids went on to study drama and theater at college, and are both involved with local theater groups as adults.
Home Education Magazine has also run a few articles on children and theater, especially this terrific article, “Let’s Put on a Show!” by Rebecca Rupp: “They wore cardboard helmets to the breakfast table, worried about the stabling of their imaginary warhorses, and addressed each other as “my lord.” Eventually, however, everyday imaginative play developed a new and public twist. It acquired plots, props, and a need for an audience. It became a show.”
Rebecca’s article includes plenty of great resources and websites for further inspiration and encouragement. Also including a good bit about the topic is Rebecca Rupp’s article about Leonardo da Vinci: “‘Young people should not study Shakespeare’s plays,’ writes Robert Sugarman, ‘they should do them.’”