It was the first week in December of 2022. Freshman year. I signed up for a time slot. I prepared a song and found a monologue. I showed up at the Black Box Theater. There was a table lined with lots of adults I didn’t know. I introduced myself and told them what I would be performing. Then I did it.
That was my freshman year drama audition. I sang “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman, and I did a monologue from the opening of Enola Holmes. Fortunately, it went well, and the experience was a confidence booster, but it was also one of the most anxiety-inducing moments ever. I tried to make a little small talk, but it’s really intimidating to perform — which is a vulnerable thing to do — in front of people you’ve never met before. Especially a fairly big group of people who are literally judging you and your skills!
At Gates Middle School, 6th and 7th-grade students take a drama class with drama teacher Lindsy Warwick. Throughout the class, students learn about drama — the basics, improv, monologues — but one of the best parts of the class is having the opportunity to get to know the drama teacher. Why? Because she’s also the middle school drama director. I believe that half of the drama club kids felt motivated — and more comfortable — to join the club after taking the class, and over the last four years, the Gates Drama Club has performed The Addams Family, Newsies, We Will Rock You, and The Little Mermaid.
When students reach high school, they can choose from a wide range of electives. I have taken many arts classes, including Intro to Art, Guitar Workshop, Music Tech, and Select Chorus. Unfortunately, SHS students don’t have the opportunity to take a drama class. For those of you who aren’t aware, Notre Dame Academy in Hingham requires students to take a drama class during their sophomore year. Meanwhile, at SHS, we don’t even offer a class that students can choose to take.
So, let me repeat my question: Why don’t we have a drama class at Scituate High School?
Joining the SHS Drama Club can feel intimidating. I get it. As a freshman, I didn’t know many upperclassmen. I didn’t know anyone outside my friends in the Drama Club. I didn’t know the director. And while meeting new people is a part of life, it is really intimidating to walk into a room and start acting and singing in front of adults you have never met before.
So, imagine if we had a drama class led by a drama teacher — I’m not sure if it could be our current drama club director, but the teacher could also teach Public Speaking. In drama class, students could open up and learn how to have fun in a non-stressful, goofy manner. Students who participate in a sport and don’t have time in their schedule for drama could take a class instead.
Scituate has no shortage of dramatic people — I happen to know just a few. I have no doubt there are ways to have an entertaining and beneficial drama course. For people who thrive on dramatic opportunities, it could be their place to shine. For students who need to take an elective, it could be a fun option to fulfill required arts credits. Now that studies are no longer an option, more electives are needed. Drama class would be a low-stress elective, and maybe it could be held in the Black Box or the PAC.
The benefits of a drama class are endless: It helps you gain confidence, creativity, collaboration, concentration, teamwork, social awareness, listening skills, and so much more. For instance, improv exercises help you let go of perfection and go with the flow while also allowing you to practice your public speaking skills. Learning techniques in drama class also helps your next school presentation feel a lot less stressful. You’ve done harder things.
It doesn’t matter why students might decide to take a drama class. Whether it is to help decrease anxiety or to engage in a fun, beneficial class that teaches life skills and earns art credits. It doesn’t matter. It would be great either way! A drama class would be a fantastic course to offer at Scituate High School.