TheatreSquared Classes Provide Skills for Life, School
From the start, the founders of TheatreSquared knew that education would be a cornerstone of the organization’s mission.
“Bob Ford said to me when I was first starting at T2 that he saw education as a way we give back to the community,” notes T2 Director of Education, Chad Dike.
T2’s classes and camps are designed to be both fun and educational, but many might be surprised by the benefits of theater arts-based instruction in regards to a child’s general education and social growth.
“Our goal is not necessarily to train the next group of actors, but to train up good people and help support students in expressing themselves, finding their confidence, and expanding their creativity,” says Dike. “Participating in theater helps them foster compassion for others so that, hopefully, in 10, 20, or 30 years, the world is a better place because they care more about others.”
Those goals are rooted in scientific research: A 2014 study found that “students in arts integrated classrooms tend to outperform their counterparts in both math and language arts.” A 2021 review of research literature concludes that “theater arts can have a positive effect on a child’s social and emotional development and can be utilized as a venue for children to express themselves.”
"Josh has learned so much more than acting techniques at TheatreSquared,” confirms Danielle Weatherby, whose son, Josh, has attended T2 classes and camps for several years now. “He has learned the importance of empathy, confidence, teamwork, and the power of live theater.”
“Theater skills are problem-solving skills,” adds Warren Rosenaur, currently Performing Arts Center Manager at Fayetteville High School, but the person who spent decades building the school’s robust theater program. “We teach theater students how to adapt to a variety of new experiences and how to create positive outcomes to those experiences. Theater teaches students commitment and motivation—commitment to see a project through to its completion, commitment to others involved in the project, and commitment to themselves to do their best.”
T2 is gearing up for another season of camps and classes and is now registering for weekly classes for ages 7-18 that kick off February 6; Spring Break camp, from March 20-24 for ages 10-18; and summer camps for kids ages 10-18 that run in one-week sessions from June 5-August 4.
“All of our teachers are professionals in the field, trained in both education and the art form they are teaching,” says Dike. “It gives students the experience of learning from a teacher that can connect with students, relay examples, and answer questions in a real-life context.”
“I would absolutely recommend the T2 classes to any parent with kids who have an interest in the performing arts,” says Weatherby. “The staff at T2 support children at all levels of experience and interest by creating a safe environment for students to explore their self-expression and learn the fundamentals of theater.”
More information on the TheatreSquared classes and camps can be found here.
