How Drama Classes Help Build Confidence in Children

Some children walk into their first drama class ready to take centre stage.

Others would much rather stand at the back, watch what's happening and quietly work out whether they feel comfortable joining in.

Both are completely normal.

Confidence looks different in every child, and being confident doesn't necessarily mean being the loudest person in the room. For some children, confidence might mean volunteering an idea. For another, it could be speaking clearly in front of a group, joining in without worrying what others think or simply feeling comfortable enough to be themselves.

That's one of the reasons drama can be such a valuable experience for children and teenagers.

While drama classes develop acting and performance skills, what happens along the way can be just as important.

---

Drama gives children a safe place to try

One of the biggest barriers to confidence is often the fear of getting something wrong.

What if I forget what I'm supposed to say?

What if everyone looks at me?

What if my idea sounds silly?

A supportive drama class gives children opportunities to experience those moments in an environment where experimenting is part of the process.

Drama involves trying characters, making creative choices, exploring different emotions and responding to other people. There isn't always one single "correct" way to do something.

That freedom can be incredibly useful.

A child gradually learns that putting an idea forward doesn't have to feel frightening. They can try something, adapt it, laugh when something unexpected happens and try again.

Over time, those little experiences can start to change how comfortable they feel taking part.

Confidence develops through small successes

People sometimes imagine confidence appearing in one big breakthrough.

In reality, it's often built through lots of much smaller moments.

The first time a child puts their hand up with an idea. The first time they say a line clearly enough for the whole room to hear. Remembering a section they'd been practising. Working successfully with another student. Performing something in front of their class.

Each experience gives them another piece of evidence that says: I can do this.

For a child who initially feels nervous about performing, those steps don't need to happen quickly.

Good drama training should allow confidence to develop rather than demanding that a child suddenly becomes fearless.

At Artisan, one of the lovely things our teachers get to see is that gradual progression. A student doesn't have to arrive bursting with confidence to benefit from being there.

Sometimes it's the quieter changes that mean the most.

Drama helps children find their voice

Drama classes naturally involve communication.

Children learn to speak clearly, listen to other people, respond to ideas and communicate meaning through their voice, facial expressions and body language.

These might sound like performance skills - and they are - but they're also useful life skills.

Being able to communicate confidently can help children in all sorts of everyday situations, from contributing in the classroom to meeting new people or expressing how they feel.

Drama can also create opportunities for children who don't always find it easy to speak up in their usual environment.

Playing a character can sometimes make self-expression feel easier.

They're not necessarily being asked to stand in front of everyone and talk about themselves.

Instead, they can explore another personality, situation or story.

That little bit of distance can give children the freedom to be louder, sillier, braver or more expressive than they might normally allow themselves to be.

It can be particularly valuable for shy children

Parents sometimes worry that a shy child won't enjoy drama because they'll be expected to perform immediately.

But being naturally quiet doesn't mean a child can't love acting or performing arts.

And it certainly doesn't mean they need to be turned into an extrovert.

The aim shouldn't be to change a child's personality.

Instead, drama can help give them the confidence to participate while still being completely themselves.

A good class creates opportunities to contribute in different ways. That might start with group games and activities, move into working with a partner or small group and eventually develop into performing more independently.

For some children, simply feeling comfortable walking into the class each week and becoming part of the group is an achievement in itself.

Confidence can grow from there.

Children learn that they're allowed to take up space

There can be something powerful about being encouraged to stand tall, speak clearly and commit to an idea.

Drama asks children to use their voice.

It asks them to move.

It asks them to make choices.

And, importantly, it gives those choices attention.

For children who are used to second-guessing themselves, that experience can be incredibly positive.

Instead of constantly wondering whether their idea is good enough, they begin learning to make a decision and commit to it.

That doesn't only matter on stage.

The ability to trust your own judgement and express an opinion can become valuable throughout school, friendships and eventually adult life.

Drama builds confidence around other people

Confidence isn't only about standing on a stage alone.

For many children, the bigger challenge is feeling comfortable around other people.

Drama is naturally collaborative.

Students might create scenes together, play drama games, rehearse, improvise, respond to a partner or work towards a shared performance.

That means they're continually practising important social skills without those skills necessarily being the explicit focus of the lesson.

They learn to listen.

They learn when to lead and when to support somebody else.

They learn that another person's idea might be different from their own.

They learn how much better something can become when everybody contributes.

For children joining a new class, that shared creative experience can also make friendships easier to form.

There's immediately something to do together.

Performing can make daunting situations feel possible

Eventually, drama may involve performing in front of other people. That could begin with something as simple as presenting a short scene to the rest of the class before progressing to larger performances or productions.

Standing in front of an audience can understandably feel intimidating.

But that's also why successfully doing it can feel so rewarding.

Preparation matters here.

Children have rehearsed. They know the material. They've worked with their teachers and fellow students. They gradually become familiar with what they're doing.

Instead of confidence meaning, "I'm not nervous", it can begin to mean: "I'm nervous, but I know I can do it."

That's a very different kind of confidence - and an important one.

Drama encourages creativity without needing perfection

Children spend a lot of their lives being assessed. There are tests, marks, levels and correct answers. Creative subjects give them somewhere different to explore.

In drama, imagination matters.

An unusual character choice might make a scene more interesting. A completely unexpected suggestion could inspire the rest of the group. Something that initially goes wrong might even lead to a better idea.

That helps children become more comfortable experimenting.

Creativity and confidence are closely connected because being creative requires a willingness to put your ideas into the world.

The more children are encouraged to do that in a positive environment, the less intimidating it can become.

Confidence doesn't have to mean becoming a performer

Of course, some young people discover drama and immediately fall in love with performing.

They may want to take part in productions, develop their acting skills, study performing arts or even explore it professionally one day. Others won't. And that's completely fine.

A child can benefit enormously from drama without ever wanting a career on stage.

The confidence, communication, teamwork, creativity, resilience and self-expression developed through performing arts can stay useful wherever life takes them.

That's something we really believe in at Artisan Theatre School.

Performing arts training is about developing performers, but it's also about helping young people grow.

What should you look for in a children's drama class?

If you're considering drama classes for your child, the atmosphere of the class matters enormously.

Look for an environment where children are:

• encouraged without being pressured

• given opportunities to contribute

• allowed to develop at their own pace

• taught genuine drama and performance skills

• supported by knowledgeable teachers

• able to work creatively with other young people

• treated as individuals

It's also worth remembering that the first class doesn't necessarily tell you everything.

A child who is naturally nervous might spend their first session observing more than participating. That's okay. Feeling safe and comfortable is often the first step towards becoming more confident.

Could drama be right for your child?

If your child loves making up stories, performing around the house or pretending to be different characters, drama may already feel like an obvious choice. But they don't have to be a natural performer.

Drama classes can be equally valuable for the child who wants to become a little more comfortable speaking up, meeting new people or trying something outside their comfort zone.

At Artisan Theatre School, we welcome children and young people with different personalities, experiences and ambitions across our performing arts classes serving families around Bournemouth, Southampton and the surrounding areas.

Some students dream about the stage. Some simply love being creative. Others arrive because they'd like to build their confidence and discover something new.

There's room for all of them.

If you've been wondering whether drama or performing arts could be right for your child, sometimes the easiest way to find out is simply to let them experience it.

Find your nearest Artisan Theatre School classes and come and experience Artisan with a free trial class.