Why Every Kid Should Participate in Theatre—Even If They Have No Interest in Acting
- Ms. A
- Jul 31
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 8
Seven Unexpected Gifts of Theatre for Kids Who Think It’s Not for Them
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Why Every Kid Should Participate in Theatre— Even If They Have No Interest in Acting
Table of Contents:
Theatre Develops Whole Brain Thinking
STEM sharpens the mind. Sports train the body.
Theatre?
Theatre asks kids to use all of themselves—mind, body, heart, and voice.
In a single production, a child is memorizing lines, analyzing text, moving with purpose, projecting their voice, accessing emotion, and working with others. It’s full-body, full-mind learning. They’re thinking both critically and creatively—practicing discipline and play at the same time.
We don’t talk about it enough, but it lights up both sides of the brain, logic and imagination, and helps kids connect the dots between thought and feeling, between knowing and expressing. There aren’t many spaces that call on so many parts of a child at once.
A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience investigates how performing arts training impacts brain development, learning, and emotional well-being over time.
Researchers found that theatre and other performing arts activities engage multiple regions of the brain at once. These include areas responsible for memory, coordination, language, social interaction, and emotional processing. This kind of “whole brain” engagement doesn’t just support academic learning—it promotes something deeper: neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to grow, adapt, and make new connections.
In other words, when kids participate in theatre, they’re not just learning how to memorize lines or project their voice. They’re reshaping their brains.
The study highlights that performing arts training enhances:
Cognitive flexibility – the ability to switch between ideas, manage multiple demands, and adapt to new situations (a vital 21st-century skill)
Executive functioning – like focus, planning, and working memory
Emotional regulation – how young people process, express and manage complex feelings in healthy ways
Social cognition – understanding other perspectives, empathy, and interpersonal awareness
These aren't just academic benefits, they're life benefits. The kind of growth that helps students thrive in classrooms, communities, and future workplaces. The kind of development that helps young people become more compassionate, adaptable, and resilient humans.
So when we say theatre is a workout for the whole child—mind, body, heart, and voice—this research shows it’s not just poetic. It’s scientifically grounded.
Kausel, L., Zamorano, F., Martínez-Molina, N., González-Garrido, J., & Fornazzari, L. (2023). Effects of performing arts training on the brain, (socio)cognitive and motor functions across the lifespan. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 17, Article 1342325.
Theatre Develops Emotional Intelligence
Theatre invites kids to explore their emotions and the emotions of others as well. It calls them to step into someone else’s shoes, to ask hard questions, and identify feelings that aren’t always easy to name.
As they explore characters and stories, children begin to develop emotional intelligence in a way that’s honest and lived, not textbook, by asking these questions:
Self-awareness – “What’s this character feeling? And where do I see that in myself?”
Empathy – “What happened in this person’s life that made them act this way?”
Emotional regulation – “How do I express something big—anger, fear, love—without it taking over?”
Perspective-taking – “What would I do if I were them? And how would it feel if someone judged me before understanding my story?”
This isn’t surface-level stuff. This is heart work. And it stays with them. Children who develop this kind of emotional depth grow into the leaders our world needs—those who lead with empathy, who face hard conversations with courage, and who stand up for what's right because they’ve stepped in someone else's shoes.
And that? That’s the root of justice. That’s how we raise kids who care. Not just about what they can achieve, but about who they are in the world, and how they show up for others.
Want to see the research behind this? Read The Hidden Superpower of Drama Programs: Social Emotional Learning, where we explore what the science says about theatre’s powerful role in building empathy, self-awareness, and emotional growth in young people.
Theatre Builds a Different Kind of Confidence
Being confident in who you are is a superpower. And honestly? It’s one I don’t see being nurtured enough today. Our kids are growing up in a world that’s loud, fast, and full of opinions where every scroll tells them who to be, how to look, and what to think. In all that noise, where’s the space for them to discover who they are?
As a mom, teaching artist, and someone who’s worked in youth development for over 10 years, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when a child feels safe enough to be themselves. That kind of confidence isn’t just nice to have, it’s foundational. It’s what helps them stand tall in a world that often tries to shrink them.
In theatre, unlike other spaces, it doesn’t ask kids to become someone else, not really. It asks them to bring their whole selves to the table.
Ironically, stepping into a character can bring kids closer to their own identity. Why? Because every role gets filtered through their unique voice, their imagination, and their point of view. And at PEAK, we don’t erase the quirks; we love to spotlight them.
We say things like:
“Use your accent—it brings richness to this role.”
“That snort when you laugh? Keep it. It’s gold.”
“Your quiet way of being? It’s powerful. Let’s build from that.”
What happens then? Kids start to believe that what makes them different is what makes them valuable. That the parts of themselves they thought they had to hide are their superpowers.
And that changes everything.
Because confidence doesn’t come from pretending to be someone else. Confidence comes from embracing who you already are and realizing that who you are is enough.
I’ve been acting for 20 years, and I know the old-school acting belief: that we should “lose ourselves” in the role. But I disagree. Especially not for kids.
The sooner young people embrace their voice, their story, and their way of being in the world, the stronger they stand. The more original they become.
And in a world where many are trying to act and behave the same, authenticity is what truly sets you apart.
✨ Every child can benefit from theatre — even if they never step on stage.
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Theatre Instills Comfort with Uncertainty and Failure
There’s no “right answer” in theatre. No test to ace, no scoreboard, no final buzzer to tell you if you’ve won. Instead, theatre lives in the trying, in the interpretation, the risk, the moments that don’t go as planned. Kids are encouraged to make bold choices, to stretch, and to step out of their comfort zone.
And sometimes? They fall flat. But that’s where the gold is. Because theatre teaches them that the work isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about growing through the process. And through that process, resilience is built quietly and powerfully.
In theatre:
Missed lines turn into moments of improv
Stage fright becomes something they learn to dance with, not run from
Embarrassing slip-ups become the stories they laugh about later
Failure isn’t the end—it’s the next step
They learn to fail forward. And more importantly, they learn to keep showing up. As parents, it’s only natural to want to shield our kids from failure. We want to protect them from disappointment, struggle, and pain. But in trying to prevent the fall, we may be keeping them from the very lessons that help them rise.
In her book The Gift of Failure, educator and parent Jessica Lahey reminds us that “we have taught our kids to fear failure, and in doing so, we have blocked the surest path to their success.” She argues that when failure happens in a safe, supportive space, it builds self-reliance, intrinsic motivation, and grit. I don't need to tell you, a fellow parent and educator, that the greatest gifts we can give our kids are teaching them how to fail, not protect them from it.
That’s what makes theatre so powerful. It’s one of the few places where kids are encouraged to fail because each "mistake" is a stepping stone. In a world that pushes our kids to perform to be polished, productive, and perfect, theatre offers something softer and stronger.
A space to explore.
To mess up.
To try again.
To grow.
No judgment. Just the courage to keep going.
Lahey, J. (2015). The gift of failure: How the best parents learn to let go so their children can succeed. Harper.
Theatre Teaches Real-Time Collaboration (Not Just Teamwork)
Sure, sports teach teamwork—and that’s important. But theatre asks for something deeper. It calls for real-time collaboration.
What’s the difference?
Teamwork means dividing tasks to reach a shared goal. Everyone has a defined role and clear boundaries, like in sports, you have positions, a playbook, and a set plan. Or in STEM projects, where tasks are split up: you handle coding, I’ll do the research.
Collaboration, on the other hand, is more fluid and dynamic. It’s about actively working with others in the moment—responding, adapting, and creating together. It requires constant communication, trust, and shared responsibility.
In theatre, collaboration is happening in real-time. We’re all on the same stage, telling the same story, at the same time. One missed line can throw off the rhythm. A forgotten prop or early entrance? Everyone adjusts. There are no timeouts, no do-overs. You stay in it. You stay present.
This kind of interdependence teaches kids how to:
Think on their feet
Stay connected
Support each other without blame
Trust the group, not just themselves
In theatre, kids learn: we rise or fall together. And honestly, that lesson carries over into all parts of life, from the classroom to the workplace to friendships and beyond.
It’s not just about performing, it’s about showing up for each other.
Theatre Welcomes the Quiet Kids—and Teaches Them to Lead
Not every child wants the spotlight. And that’s okay. Theatre isn’t just about being center stage, it’s about building something together. A story. An experience. A world.
Behind every production is a village of creative minds working together:
Lighting and sound
Costumes and props
Stage management and directing
Scriptwriting and design
These roles are essential creative careers that shape the magic of theatre. From the precision of lighting and sound design to the vision of costume makers, from the organizational genius of stage managers to the creativity of scriptwriters—every role in theatre offers a path for young people to discover their passion and imagine new possibilities.
According to Backstage’s comprehensive guide to jobs in theatre, the theatre industry offers a rich spectrum of career paths beyond acting, including production, design, technical, and management roles. Many of which translate into valuable skills in film, television, event production, and beyond.
At PEAK Theatre Arts, we believe every kid should participate in theatre because it means giving every student a chance to find their unique place in this creative ecosystem. That means offering opportunities not just to perform, but to lead and create in diverse ways:
Students take on roles as stage managers, coordinating all the moving parts behind the scenes
Others assist as assistant directors, learning leadership and storytelling from a new angle
Many dive into set and costume design, bringing imaginative worlds to life with their hands and creativity
By stepping into these varied roles, students gain hands-on experience, build teamwork skills, and discover new talents and interests. They learn that theatre isn’t just for the spotlight, it’s for everyone who wants to make an impact.
Theatre Strengthens Communication Skills Beyond Public Speaking
Theatre teaches kids how to connect and communicate.
They learn how to:
Read facial expressions and body language
Adjust tone, pacing, and physical presence based on audience and context
Express big, complex emotions—sometimes without even saying a word
Listen deeply and respond with empathy
Hold space and command attention, whether it’s one-on-one or in front of a crowd
According to the National Social Anxiety Center, public speaking anxiety (glossophobia) is recognized as the most common fear, affecting up to 40% of adults, surpassing fear of death, spiders, or heights. Similarly, some surveys estimate that 75% of people experience some level of fear of public speaking, with 5–10% reporting severe levels that interfere with daily life.
That means helping kids build comfort speaking, even in small ways, is a powerful gift.
So imagine the power of helping a child grow up feeling confident, speaking in front of others, knowing how to organize their thoughts, adjust their delivery, and stay grounded in their truth.
Theatre helps kids develop:
Self-Awareness: They tune into how their own body, breath, voice, and emotions affect their message. They learn to be intentional with their presence, rather than reactive.
Emotional Intelligence: They begin to identify their feelings and recognize emotions in others. They’re not just speaking to others—they’re connecting with them.
Nonverbal Communication: Eye contact. Gestures. Posture. Timing. Silence. They start to understand that communication isn’t only verbal—it’s also energetic. They learn to “read the room” and shift in real time.
Perspective-Taking: Playing different characters teaches them to step into someone else’s shoes. This builds empathy and the ability to connect across differences.
In today’s world, these skills are gold. Whether a student grows up to pitch a business idea, advocate for social justice, lead a team, teach a class, or simply express their needs in a relationship, their ability to communicate will shape their success.
At PEAK Theatre Arts, we nurture that skill not by drilling speeches or forcing performance, but by creating safe spaces for students to discover their voice. They learn that what they say and how they say it matter.
Because in theatre, they practice being heard. And that makes all the difference.
Mindful Infusions. (n.d.). The effect of social anxiety on public speaking. Retrieved August 1, 2025, from https://mindfulinfusions.com/the-effect-of-social-anxiety-on-public-speaking/
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