Afterschool Musicals
What’s better than one Elementary School Musical??
How about 5? That’s right. In Spring 2024, every Elementary School in Wethersfield, CT, produced an after-school musical in partnership with Hartford Stage. Thanks to a state ARPA Grant, students in all Wethersfield Elementary Schools had the opportunity to participate in a musical production.
When you think about watching children’s theater, you probably imagine cute costumes, a pleasant storyline, sweet songs, and bright smiles as you are transported from reality for an hour or so.
What might not be immediately apparent is that theater goes beyond mere entertainment; it offers a distinctive and complete learning experience for children.
Theater fosters teamwork and the capacity to work through challenges collaboratively to achieve a common goal. This is a lifelong, valuable skill. Performers also develop the ability to absorb and embrace constructive criticism, a fundamental life skill applicable both on and off the stage. Theater programs offer students a chance to:
- Build confidence
- Improve Social and Emotional Skills
- Build Life Skills
- Connect with peers
- Improve Attendance
Theater programs expect students to follow a process and a timeline, use self-discipline, and learn to accept direction and feedback. They are training grounds for careers in education, law, business, politics, broadcasting, and so much more. Studies show that employers prefer to hire those with theatrical experience.
Our programs continue to give students opportunities to try new things and discover what they’re passionate about outside of the classroom structure. The theater programs that we offer are great examples that enable students to do just that.