Showing posts with label arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arts. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Drama and Teen Education


Why pre-college teens should study drama.

The arts, including drama, are not just another area of study for teenagers; the arts can change the lens through which teaching and learning happen across the academic curriculum. A drama-and-movement-based approach, especially when combined with multiple intelligences theory and practice (all of us are smart in many different ways), enhances skills that are highly prized in the workplace: critical thinking; collaboration; improvisation; empathy; and outside-the-box problem-solving. Learning public presentation skills, for example, can enable teens to shine in college interviews – an oral version of their college essays. The business community seeks college graduates who can work creatively and productively in small groups. Training in improvisation allows for calm, clear, creative thought and action under pressure. Drama education develops all of a student's intelligences and heightens their awareness of themselves, others, and the world around them. And that's a good preparation for college and beyond!


Why study drama and movement at Wheelock Family Theatre?

You'll receive individualized attention to help you build on your strengths and give you the confidence and self-awareness you need to face your challenges. WFT's professional teaching artists include Boston's finest actors and directors. Our small class size, with a 10:1 adult/student ratio or lower, ensures that we can provide you with high quality, customized training in all aspects of performance. Teachers who have come to know you will help you select specific classes to continue developing your skills and honing your craft. Equally as important, WFT is truly a diverse family that celebrates differences and warmly welcomes all. It's a place where you will make friends and become part of a supportive community, both at WFT and in Boston's theatre community. At Wheelock, you are challenged to take your work seriously, but not yourselves.

Friday, December 17, 2010

BalletRox’ Urban Nutcracker – last weekend :(

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Review: BalletRox's Urban Nutcracker - Dance - Boston Phoenix

"What makes Urban Nutcracker a treat is seeing so many kids (the program lists a "youth cast" of more than 80) working at dancing and having fun, too." -- Check out this great article from the Boston Phoenix, about

The big question I always come up to when I'm picking a production to see, and there is play, a musical and a dance to choose from, is:

Why Go to the Ballet?

And truthfully, sometimes I can't remember. I let my own mind give in to some of the stereotypes about ballet, which I won't list here.  After seeing Urban Nutcracker, however, I remembered

The Reasons We Love Ballet

1. It is unabashedly magical.

2. It is one of the rare opportunities we have to experience something purely beautiful, without masking that beauty in an overly-intellectual or verbal narrative.

3. It is an art form that goes beyond merely exploring emotions, and is actually the celebration of non-verbal emotions.

4. It is awe-inspiring to see men and women leap through the air using only their own strength.

5. Ballet dancers are pretty or handsome! :)

I hope that you take the opportunity to see Urban Nutcracker this weekend -- the last weekend of the season. Your children will love the magic, glitter and beauty, and you will love the peaceful sense you get watching a child experience a piece of true art.

Need tickets to Ballet Rox’ “Urban Nutcracker?"?

Click here!

Yours in top ten lists,

Beth Peters

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

WFT invites you to...

A Brown Bag Lunch sponsored by Wheelock Family Theatre

Boston College/National Science Foundation Study:

Cognitive Skills That Are Developed By Arts Education

Working to answer the question,
‘What are the thinking skills that develop when children study the arts?

Friday, December 4, 2009
12:00 noon – 1:00pm
Wheelock College Alumni Room at Wheelock Family Theatre

Presented by
Thalia Goldstein, Ph.D Candidate
Laboratory for Teaching, Learning and Cognition in the Arts
Boston College

Come and hear about this groundbreaking study by Professor Ellen Winner and Thalia Goldstein, who observed WFT drama students to understand cognitive skills that are developed by arts education.

Bring your lunch and join us for the presentation and discussion. We will provide drinks and dessert.