Playacting comes naturally to children.
The art of acting is a constructive tool for increasing self-expression and awareness in children. Young people are commonly imaginative and playful, and these habits are often encouraged by educators seeking to create an enriching and holistic learning environment. Kids can most effectively explore the craft of acting with support and a dedication to developing their talent.
Dress-Up
Children love to dress up in creative costumes. Wardrobe choices are a major component of acting on stage and onscreen. With a small budget and a lot of creativity, fun costumes can be made from common materials (like construction paper and markers), and inexpensive cloth and foam material can supplement available resources. Have children assemble their own inventive costumes and act out their characters based on the mood sparked by their new disguises. Clothes can really make the difference in expanding the imagination of a child.
The Buddy System
Have young actors collaborate with one another to stage experiments in mimicry. Youngsters are naturals at observing their environments and imitating what they see and hear. Students can work in teams of two and do mirror exercises, alternately reproducing the words and gestures of their partners. This is a great way to introduce the concept of convincingly assuming an entirely different identity.
Theater Involvement
Young actors should be exposed to as much age-appropriate theater as possible. Stage productions at school and local venues can help to showcase dramatic skills in a new and exciting way for child audiences. Kids will be more likely to feel confident about auditioning for roles themselves if they are familiar with the look and feel of a live show. Promote interactions with area cultural events as they are made available.
Formal Instruction
A structured, well-managed acting class taught by a capable acting professional is an invaluable resource for child actors. Drama classes at elementary schools should focus on teamwork, healthy conflict resolution and character building for its students. The more patience, consideration and self-control that a child possesses, the more success he will achieve at sharpening his talent in a healthy, constructive manner. No beginning is too modest, no part too small, for the child actor.
