I think the first thing that we should look at is how participation in theatre can help a child, teen, or adult with special needs. Theatre is a unique discipline; it has something for literally everyone. Theatre is a field that has creative and social implications for all who participate. It is especially beneficial for students with special needs, whether they be mild, moderate, or severe; any student, if given the opportunity, can gain something from participation in it. This work can be games and warm-ups, voice and movement activities, and/or scene work. It can be group based or individual, though it tends to lend itself to being group based. Skills that are being taught include teamwork, executive functioning, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, creativity, and applications to other school subjects (English, History, even Math!) There is little research on the effects of theatre work in the special education classroom, but what has been found has supported its importance and value to all who participate. The hope is that further long-term research will shed more light on how theatre helps this population of students, in both the classroom and in their everyday life.
Some benefits include:
Inclusivity
Executive Functioning (following directions, writing/reading, schedules, accountability)
Interpersonal skills (teamwork, listening to others, leadership, sharing ideas)
Creativity
Increase in language use
Intrapersonal skills (expressing emotions, positivity, self-confidence)
Therapeutic (putting yourself in someone else’s shoes)
Here are some great articles about the benefits kids get from participating (or watching) theatre:
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