What’s the point of a drama class? It teaches the job skills employers want, for starters

Parents sometimes wonder: what is the point of drama lessons? Many want their children to take electives, especially in Year 12, which their parents think will help them get into university and build a career.

While the average 17-year-old has plenty of job opportunities, he or she will likely have several jobs and careers throughout his or her life.

So why study drama? As academics who have been researching drama and learning for 30 years, it is clear that studying drama can enhance your teen’s present and contribute to their future. Drama teaches skills for life, learning and employability.

Teamwork, project management, public speaking and more

Many employers are looking for employees who can work well in a team, manage a complex project from start to finish, and communicate well in public or with clients.

They are looking for employees who can solve problems creatively and effectively, think flexibly, adapt to changing circumstances and put themselves in the shoes of others.

Now think about the skills children learn in drama class. These include:

Teamwork: There is nothing quite like working with your classmates as an ensemble to come up with a script or create a show. There is excitement and a heightened sense of purpose that comes from working together to present a performance to an audience. Relationships of trust and cooperation are formed through teamwork in drama class. These are valuable skills that children can use throughout their lives.

Public speaking: Drama develops communication and presentation skills that will increase your confidence in public speaking. You will learn how to use space, gestures, posture, and how to vary your pace, tone, and volume to successfully communicate with and persuade your audience. This is a skill your child will use in college, job interviews, and the workplace.

Quick troubleshooting: In drama class you learn to improvise. The ability to think quickly and creatively on your feet is valuable to many employers.

Creative and critical thinking: Drama is critical thinking in action, a way of looking at problems from multiple perspectives and understanding nuances. Untangling this complexity in drama gives students the opportunity to deal with complexity in other parts of their lives – now and in the future. It allows children to exercise creativity, imagine alternative futures, and experiment and test radical ideas in a safe environment. Creativity and imagination are essential skills for the jobs of the future.

Provide a convincing argument: When students have something important to say, a drama performance can be a powerful way to practice using their voice, expressing concerns, and inspiring others to action. Seeing live theater with fellow students, studying plays, and analyzing theater means engaging with and discussing big, complex, global ideas. Knowing how to formulate your point and articulate it in a compelling way is a valuable skill in the workplace.

Artistic and design skills: During the Drama degree, students learn artistic, performance and theatre design skills, which can lead to employment in a wide range of creative industries jobs.

Examining the evidence

There is a wealth of evidence on the impact of drama education on the lives and employability of young people.

Research shows that drama develops empathy, social skills, well-being and self-confidence.

Studies with drama students also report that young people gain a sense of camaraderie and enjoyment from studying drama. They also report that theater helped them develop a sense of self-worth and important life skills.

Research has also shown that drama can be an effective part of teacher training.

Think about the value drama adds to your child’s life now

Of course, school isn’t really about turning your child into an obedient and helpful worker bee. It’s their life nowJust as a positive workplace can make a huge difference in your quality of life, an enjoyable school experience is crucial to a teen’s mental health.

So if your child loves drama, ask him/her why. You may be surprised by the depth of the answer you get.

Drama creates a strong sense of connection and can reduce loneliness, as this recent ABC story shows:

Drama lessons can help your child feel connected to others at school and in their community. It can help them develop empathy, relate to others in the real world (outside of social media), and encourage self-reflection.

It can enable them to connect with and learn about the big things in life: love, betrayal, friendship, ambition, power, jealousy, duty, and much more.

In the senior years, when exam pressure and competition can be overwhelming, a drama class and the community it creates can be a welcome change.

And finally, let’s not underestimate the sheer joy of being creative, of expressing yourself and the thrill of presenting to an audience.