Theatre Can Be Beneficial To Your Future

Did you know that theater and acting have been around since the 6th century BC? According to many ancient traditions, the concept of theater was first founded by a person named Thespis, a poet who is known as the first actor. Theater is a place where people can express themselves without judgment or harassment and it is a way to examine dialogue, monologue and character. This, in turn, flexes our empathetic muscles. Aside from this, participating in theater classes and plays can come with some benefits and perks. One can learn about self confidence, take risks in classes and performances, and learn to trust oneself on stage. Theater also helps with communication skills, enhances verbal and nonverbal expressions of ideas, and helps the projection and fluency in language. Students in theater classes will also learn problem solving as they improvise in quick and critical situations in order to keep their role in the performance interesting. Lastly, theater can help with memory. This is because in theater, students have to learn the words and movements of their character in addition to learning cues (vital to those backstage or at the sound booth). Doing these tasks can help students to strengthen and develop the part of the brain that maintains memory in the body.

The GHS Theater Club is in full swing making shows for this spring. With the first show of the season being “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory.” The show will star the Theater Prod II class and will be directed by teacher Stacie McKiernan. The show will be performed on Thursday, May 25th at 2pm and Friday, June 7th during finals. There will be festival-style seating for the Willy Wonka shows - meaning there will be no designated seating for the audience and the tickets will be free. The second play in the spring is a show called "Almost Maine", a romantic comedy. The show’s performances will take place on May 12-13th and May 18-19th at 7pm. It is Blackbox style for this show, so the audience will be sitting in chairs on stage with the main curtain closed. The team for this event expects that this will mean there will be very limited seating.

All in all, theater provides those involved with lots of perks, aside from just being on stage and acting. It helps many develop important life skills. Furthermore, if you’re a GHS student, consider seeing one or both of the shows Raptor Theatre Company is hosting and help support your fellow Raptors.