Get Your Homeschoolers in the Performing Arts

Are your homeschoolers in the performing arts? If not, this article is for you.

Performing arts education has many benefits for children. By involving your homeschoolers in the performing arts they will be learning public speaking, expanding their vocabulary, learning to work in a group, building their literacy, enhancing their creativity, developing their self esteem, enhancing their self expression, gaining confidence, learning to understand their self and others, and much, much more.

Go to the Theatre
This is the first and best way to involve your homeschoolers in the performing arts. Many community theatres have a children's theatre and offer performances during the day. If this is not a possibility, or to expand on that idea, find a local playhouse and attend an evening performance. Consider many different kinds of performing arts performances like the Ballet, Musical Theatre, Music Concert, Drama, and even Opera. Many theatres will offer backstage tours or even backstage passes to meet the actors. Ask the box office when purchasing your tickets.

Prepare a Monologue
You can do this at home with your children. Have your child prepare and perform a monologue for your family. Help with a costume and props. See if the monologue is from a play or movie that can be borrowed from the library or rented from a video store, then watch the video with your child. Help your child with pronounciation, inflection, timing and tonation of their monologue. Consider videotaping or tape recording your child performance for them to watch or listen to when they are done. Search for appropriate monologues on the internet. There are many websites that offer complete scripts.

Prepare a short play with friends
Get other homeschoolers in the performing arts by gathering a few friends and putting together either a short play, or a few scenes from a play. Help the children with costumes, props and sets. Then have the children put on their performance for friends and family. There are many scripts for children available on the internet.

The great part about these programs is that a child learns all aspects of performing. The children learn about what goes on backstage, from lighting to sets, as well as how to be on the stage. The children will usually do acting, singing and dancing. Children are usually required to provide their own costumes or pay to have a pre-selected costume specifically made for them. The children are also taught about costuming and make-up.

What a great way to get your homeschoolers in the performing arts. Do an internet search for children's theatre programs in your area.

Attend a Children's Theatre Day Camp or Overnight Camp
These programs operate much like an accelerated children's theatre program. A play, or scenes from a play, is cast, rehearsed and performed within the length of the camp, usually a week or two. Parents are then invited to the final performance.

The great thing about these programs is they will break down acting techniques for the children. Because of the length of each day and the intensity of the program, children can immerse themselves in the experience and gain an extensive amount of knowledge in a short.

Many programs are run in conjunction with a community theatre group or organization. We attended Shakespeare Camp this past summer. It was put on by the Foothill Theatre Company located in Nevada City, California.

Audition for a play, or Attend an Audition
If your child aspires for greatness, considering allowing them to audition for local community theatre. If they are shy, consider attending an open audition. This type of outing is exciting and suspenseful. Your child may need a 'headshot' picture and a short resume with personal information, personal activities and any prior theatre or stage experiences.

We hope you've enjoyed these ideas to get your homeschoolers in the Performing Arts. Break a Leg!

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