The Benefits of Performing Arts (Part 1 – Meaningful Performance)

Six Benefits of Performing Arts

For anyone who has ever experienced performing arts of any kind in an educational setting or as an extracurricular activity, there is no denying that it shapes people’s lives. I see lives changing for the better every day in our classes and on our stage at Wonderland Performing Arts. Performing arts education aids in the development of social skills, self-expression, and confidence. Theatre, dance, music, singing—these disciplines require a person to put themselves “out there” in ways that can be scary at first, but will ultimately help students grow into the people they are meant to be. We can reach one another in rare, meaningful ways by using the connections performing arts provides. Join me over the next few weeks where I explore and highlight six major benefits of Performing Arts:  

1. Meaningful Performance

2. Expression

3. Innovation

4. Creativity

5. Empowerment

6. Acceptance

Part 1: Meaningful Performance – At Home, In the Classroom, and On Stage 

What would happen if you just broke out into song and started belting “Defying Gravity” in the middle of Super Target? You would likely get a lot of weird looks, people would veer their carts in the opposite direction, …most DEFINITELY people would pull their phones out and post videos of you! Performing is the act of expressing ourselves in a public forum by sharing our ideas, perspectives, and stories with one another. But why don’t people openly do it in the middle of Target on a regular basis? Because they don’t want to be labeled as cray-cray! (Do people even still say cray-cray? Probably not, but I I’m a grand-lineal so I’m “irrelevant.”) I am personally 100% here for it. I wouldn’t veer my cart away from you, and IF I wanted to post a video, I’d ask you for your hashtags and handle first! Although as we’ve previously established I am irrelevant and even among my fellow grand-lineals, I am not “the norm.” So don’t count what I would do as acceptable in societal terms.  

Acting is the art of taking words that we or someone else have written and using our own experience, skills, and knowledge to bring those words from the page to life. Typically it is practiced within the walls of an educational environment, on a stage for an audience, or on film.  

Performing arts includes acting, singing, dancing, playing an instrument – anything that requires us to get up in front of people and perform. Some people might perform as part of a band or choir; others perform at talent shows, in musicals, plays, or dance reviews. Performing does not necessarily need to take place in front of an audience. Many people sing and dance alone at home, or practice in groups with which they are comfortable.

Performing arts can be as simple as children playing pretend with their friends, dolls, and stuffed animals, or as complex as a Broadway show or Cirque de Soliel. The similarities between pretend play and Cirque de Soliel are human connection, creativity, and collaboration. The differences between them are budget, experience, and training. But they are all valid forms of performing arts. And truly, if you do a Target show, I want a front row seat! Let a girl know! Stay tuned for Parts 2-6, coming soon! I hope you enjoy, and take some magic with you.