Help your youngster develop a passion for theatre

An early introduction to theatre will make your kids the best listeners, fantastic teammates and smart problem-solvers. Apart from giving a spurt to their creativity, theatre also promotes empathy, time management and self-esteem. Here are ways to motivate your youngster to join theatre. 

Encourage your child to join the school club 
Almost every school offers extra-curricular activities like sports, dance & music, acting, drama, etc. Then there are also clubs or committees that are established to explore the creative talents of students of all age groups who come together to share their mutual interests. Such clubs can be good for youngsters who are often shy to perform in front of a larger audience but don’t mind interacting and enacting roles in front of peers and familiar faces. Here, youngsters can not only learn acting through observation and practice but also improvisation, alongside developing their first love for the stage.  

Sign her up for a theatre group  
There is a plethora of youth theatre groups who take in amateur artists and shape them into brilliant performers. These groups are the best places for aspiring theatre actors, directors, designers and even script writers. People in these groups are usually of the same age group with one or two senior artists who act as mentors. Everyone in these groups takes turns to audition and gets several opportunities to explore their love for the stage. This prepares young talents to move on to bigger productions.  

Enroll him in a performing arts school 
Performing arts schools are the best places to receive formal coaching in theatrics and acting in general. If your youngster has a flair for acting, sign her up for formal training. Usually, these institutions take a handful of students who show real promise and are quite serious about their job. In these schools, youngsters not only learn the art of theatre but also develop discipline, and diligence while working in collaboration and social communication alongside it. One can attend these schools on weekends, without missing out on their academic education. These institutions often organise annual shows which give youngsters the first taste of real-stage performance. Online acting lessons can also be a good option for youngster. 

Take him for theatre shows 
In order to get your youngster passionate about theatre, take them for age-appropriate plays. This will go a long way in developing their interest in theatre. Also, there’s a tradition among theatre artists to come and interact with the audience after the show, seeking their views and inputs. This exercise is likely to enhance your kid’s understanding of this performance art inspiring him to delve deep into it. Look out for children’s theatre festivals and workshops around your area and encourage them to participate. In the face of an ongoing pandemic, many theatre groups have also been uploading their shows on digital platforms to keep the tradition running.