Why should I book a theatre program from Drama Out of the Box for my school?

The benefits to be found from incorporating drama into the academic school day are unlimited! Drama enrichment is much more than putting on a play once or twice a year. Students who are exposed to drama in a classroom setting gain confidence, increase problem-solving skills, learn to share and understand ideas as part of a collaborative team, increase expressive language skills, and much more. The social-emotional benefits of theatre in schools is crucial to the development of the whole child. 

From the American Alliance for Theatre Education:

The Effects of Theatre Education DID YOU KNOW ...

• Students involved in drama performance coursework or experience outscored non-arts students on the 2005 SAT by an average of 65 points in the verbal component and 34 points in the math component(1)?
• Drama activities improve reading comprehension, and both verbal and non-verbal communication skills?
• Drama helps to improve school attendance and reduce high school dropout rates(2)?
• A 2005 Harris Poll revealed that 93% of the public believes that arts, including theatre, are vital to a well-rounded education (3)?
• Drama can improve skills and academic performance in children and youth with learning disabilities?

Want to learn more? Go to https://www.aate.com/benefits-of-theatre-ed to read the entire article about the benefits of theatre education! Then, get in touch with Drama Out of the Box to book a school program, assembly, or artist-in-residency to enhance your academic program and give your students and faculty that extra boost. 

Drama Out of the Box is committed to providing quality and AFFORDABLE programming to schools. We understand that budgets are tight and constantly being trimmed, which is why we look to create a program that best fits your school's needs, even applying for local and state grants as needed to help off-set costs. Booking a program with Drama Out of the Box guarantees a DESE licensed teacher who is extremely familiar with the Massachusetts state standards in Theatre at all levels. 

Don't delay! Grant deadlines are looming! Let's get your school on the path to EXCELLENT theatre enrichment and curriculum support today!

Check out just a few of our offerings below!

School Programs:

Curriculum-based Theatre Experiences: Using theatre techniques such as role-play, tableaus, open scenes, in-role drama and more, students learn to approach academic content from a different angle. These techniques increase understanding of the curriculum, as well as providing a more kinesthetic approach for students who require that learning style. This type of theatre enrichment is especially effective in the areas of social studies, reading comprehension, and writing, but can be applied as an enhancer to certain science and math skills as well. Overall, students will have increased retention of information and concepts, because they have been immersed in and experienced the material through theatre!

Original Work Creation Workshops: Theatre has always been a method for self-expression. It is a way to find answers in a confusing situation or experience. It is a way for people to express themselves and their ideas and find like-minded individuals to collaborate with to create works that speak to an audience, and stimulate conversation and exploration into topics that might be difficult or uncomfortable to reach another way. Also, as a bonus to schools, it encourages even reluctant readers and writers to strengthen their skills in a non-threatening and often fun way. In this workshop, students learn about the structure of a play and work collaboratively to create an original piece on a topic of their (or the teacher's) choice. Creating original work gives students ownership of both the process and the product and begins to teach them the critical skill of giving and receiving constructive feedback. (Both a crucial life skill AND a current standard in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks!)

Mindfulness Through Theatre Workshops: Mindfulness is something we all aspire to, and theatre is a wonderful method to help us get there. Actors rely on mindfulness to help them to connect with their character and with others in a scene. Through drama and improvisation techniques, we will practice letting outside influences and worries fall away as we work to connect with ourselves and each other on a deeper, more immediate level. We will work and play in the moment, and participants will leave with some concrete tools they can apply outside of the workshop to help them practice mindfulness in their daily lives. This workshop is designed for both seasoned performers and those looking for a new approach to mindfulness practice.


Assembly Programs:

Assembly #1- "Anti-Bullying: Behind the Scenes and Inside the Mind": A one hour interactive presentation that covers the people involved in a bullying scenario and delves deeper into the feelings and motivations that are the end product of such a scenario. Students will identify the "players" in a bullying scene (Bully, Target, Bystanders, Courageous Bystanders) and then participate in a series of drama exercises that encourage them to look beyond the surface of a typical bullying scene. By "getting inside the heads" of the "characters," students will form a deeper understanding of what causes bullying, the harmful effects of bullying, and what can be done to stop it.

A follow-up workshop for this assembly is also available, which consists of 6-8 once a week sessions (either an hour or an hour and a half.) The purpose of the sessions is to build commonalities and collaboration, as students work to create an original piece about bullying and understanding differences, to be performed for their younger peers. By working together on a theatre piece for younger students, participants will have the opportunity to develop teamwork and cohesiveness as a group, while working as role models. This will give everyone an opportunity to feel successful and a part of something important and larger than themselves. Best for grades 3 and up.


Assembly #2- "Unpacking your Emotional Backpack": A one hour interactive presentation that explores the social-emotional topics of Understanding and Expressing Emotions, Reducing Stigma around Thoughts, Feelings, and Emotions, and Providing and Practicing Basic coping skills that students can use to further communication with their peers. For younger students this assembly deals very simply with identifying and exploring basic emotions and how they feel. For older students, the assembly delves more deeply into what causes these emotions, how we can manage these emotions in ourselves and others, and what steps we can take moving forward to create a safe and respectful learning community, where all members feel respected and heard.

A follow-up workshop for this assembly is also available, which consists of 4-6 once a week sessions (either an hour or an hour and a half.) The purpose of the sessions is to use theatre tools to create a safe space for deeper reflection and a common language for students to use as they navigate emotional needs and situations. Best for Grades 4 and up.


Artist-in-Residency Programs:

Looking to incorporate theatre into your school for a longer time frame?  An Artist-in-residency program is a great way for school administrations to add the benefits of theatre without the long term commitment of adding a full-time staff member to their payroll. Drama Out of the Box works on a contract basis to bring quality theatre programming for as little as a month to up to a year in the capacity of "Artist in Residence." In this manner, districts are only responsible for paying for actual time in the school working with teachers and students, which makes it more affordable and accessible to all districts. And the best part? Did you know there are actually state grants that are specifically designed to cover the cost of an artist in residency program?!  It's a WIN/WIN for school districts, communities, and most of all STUDENTS!

"Meredith collaborates with her fellow teachers and aligns the drama curriculum to support the academic curriculum. For example, Meredith and I worked together on a six-week immigration unit for my fourth grade class. She used her creativity and imagination to provide the children a unique immigration experience. Meredith created a program to simulate what it may have been like for many of the immigrants to arrive at Ellis Island. She developed different stations that immigrants would have had to pass through before being allowed to enter the country, and recruited her director, the assistant principal and fellow teachers to play the roles of the station officers. Her efforts led to a greatly enhanced immigration unit that the students will never forget. "
-Maureen J. (Grade 4 teacher)​

“Our students have more tools at their disposal now for dealing with bullies and stopping bullying from happening.  More importantly, they now believe that they can change a bullying situation and that standing up to a bully is not as scary or overwhelming as it might at first seem.”

“The students really enjoyed the hot seat activity.  Their comments were insightful, creative and demonstrated a deep understanding of the many layers of a bullying situation.”

“The students were able to get inside the heads of the characters in a bullying situation and understand the motivations and possible outcomes of all the people involved.”
-Teaching Staff (Bush Hill Elementary School)