Drama Classes - do they *really* improve confidence?

[TuttleTree]

Parents!!! I am after some real experiences of drama classes for primary school aged children. My DD in Year 1 is very capable, very hard working, loves reading and is a self-starter when it comes to getting work done/homework/reading/sums etc but he is a quiet boy. He will speak when spoken to but is not naturally extroverted/confident with people. I am considering drama classes but wondering if they will really make a difference or if some children are just the quieter type and that wont change?

I was always quiet/shy when I was younger and I dont feel it held me back at all until perhaps university and entering the working world but since then I've sort of just learnt how to "switch it on" when I need to. Im just not sure if drama classes can/will actually change the inherent personality of a child who prefers to keep himself to himself??? Advice/experience most welcome!

My daughter does speech and drama and also acting classes and I do think they have helped massively. She is not a natural extrovert and she still isn't but has great confidence with public speaking. She was comfortable doing an announcement over the school intercom and was voted class rep as while she isn't the popular/sporty child she was by far the best speaker when went for the role, she still keeps herself to herself and is very bookish so it's not like the classes have changed her personality but I know two years ago she'd have sat on the sidelines

I'm a huge advocate of drama for children- full disclosure, my ds runs a class!- but I do think you have to be very careful. The franchises like Stagecoach are often very musical theatre based and push a particular type of "teeth and tush" style which is fine if that's what you want. Personally, I'd see if any theatres near you have a youth group if you think he'd enjoy it. But also-there's nothing wrong with being the quiet type-drama isn't going to change his personality!

I would say yes as they helped my quiet DD2. She did Helen O Grady Drama until the franchise near us closed. More low key than Stagecoach.

It would have been my DDs worst nightmare.
What has given her confidence is being for who she is and doing activities she is good at and enjoys, not forcing her into a situation where she is uncomfortable

Now at the age of 12, she is actually appearing in her Secondary school play... as a dancer. She recently found out that actually involves singing as well, but its as a group so not so terrifying...

I would say yes as well. DD2 has been part of a lovely little drama class from when she was Y1 - now (Y4) and it has been mostly the same kids - I really noticed recently how much they have all improved in confidence in that time.

I think it depends very much on the group. One of DD’s school mates did from early age but she was always confident so it came from quite confident to super confident. I don’t think my DD contributed a lot from hers but I think it’s more about her teacher.
I feel that if you are just shy but have a talent and inclination you will contribute otherwise maybe not.

I agree with CurlewKate. My DS has gone to a local theatre youth group since Y4 (now Y12). It’s not jazzy at all, no intention to get children into acting work - but brilliantly develops self-assurance, imagination, projection etc. we also found it was good for him to develop non-school friends. The leaders are superb though, and incredibly committed.

Thanks all. Super helpful. I have looked into the Helen O Grady classes (now called Drama Kids) and will see if there are any others. I was also worried about maybe being too late? But is is 5and a half, just started year 1 so maybe its still a good time. I just dont want to miss the boat on anything!

My children went to PQA, DS still attends. Both loved it. My eldest only left at 17!
I think it definitely helps confidence, in one performance he sang a solo which I could not believe!!
PQA in my experience has a nice balance of theatre, filming, sound, comedy, scripts etc it's all aspects and not just the acting.

Is your DS interested in drama? If he isn't, it's just going to make him miserable and stressed that he has to do this thing he's not comfortable doing and doesn't bring him any enjoyment.

is not naturally extroverted/confident with people These are two different things. Being quiet and being confident are not mutually exclusive. No amount of drama classes in the world will make your son a wholly different boy. He sounds like a really nice child. I don't know why you'd want to replace a hardworking quiet likes-to-read boy with a boisterous loud and havoc causing one.

Intrigued by this! What is a "teeth and tush" style?

I don't know if he is interested in it. He doesn't know if he is either! 😊

I did loads of school drama which helped me to be able to get into public speaking.
I can get up and speak in most situations. It's a massive advantage, particularly at work.
I'd encourage any parent to try and get their kids into speaking in front of others.
They'll also meet new people and be able to form friendship groups outside of school which is important.

Not drama but DS 10 does a musical theatre class which has definitely helped his confidence. It’d a nice small group and the children are sweet/ supportive of each other. They put on shows a couple of times a year.

Yes great for confidence but pls don’t think that means ‘gobby’. The one near us is creative, inclusive and enjoyable. Kids devise their own work so it’s creative and good for imagination. Good for team work and getting to know people of dif ages which doesn’t always happen at school. Lots of quiet people can be very good actors as they are observant.

I used to run a Stagecoach and am the least teeth and tits person you can imagine!

I don't think that drama in itself makes a person confident, actors are often the least confident, introverted people I know, but it can give someone confidence in communication skills or at least the skills to fake confidence.

It really depends.

It made me much more confident when I went at 12, I met kids from different schools and it opened my eyes a bit.

DD went to one which was cliquey and it did her no favours, being left out of everything while all of the 8 year olds caked in make up made TikToks while the stage moms cheered them on.