Dramatic Arts Have Value

By Gwen Minor and Margaret Lavin
San Mateo County Times

Like families, schools are looking seriously at cost cutting. Even with stimulus package money going to education, the cuts are going to be deep.

Historically, in rough times, the first cuts are usually to the humanities programs: music, drama and art, because today's teachers are required to teach to and test for state standards that focus on the "three R's," reading, writing and arithmetic.

So what good are the arts to children? Some outside the educational setting take the arts lightly. Others consider them a break in the academic day, a period of playtime, fun and amusement that doesn't count for that much.

The value is often not recognized because there is no section for it on a standardized test. But the arts contribute to the development of the whole child. The intangible qualities of the dramatic arts make placing a value on them difficult, but drama matters.
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Distraction and Concentration in Memorizing Lines

Having a quiet place to study is important. A library is good for reading and studying. However, you're training for delivering your lines on stage, not to write a test in a classroom. Distraction may actually help you learn... or at least help you to keep your brain on your lines amid the chaos of performing.

Just ask Kevin Spacey:

The actor [Kevin Spacey] — who won has won two Oscars for his roles in "The Usual Suspects" and "American Beauty" - likes memorizing scripts in places like restaurants and train stations as it helps him focus.

Kevin, 48, said: "I go to very noisy restaurants when learning lines. I also go to very noisy train stations, where plates are dropping, babies are crying, phones are ringing - because somehow it forces your brain to actually focus."
Kevin Spacey Prefers To Learn Lines In Noisy Environments | iCelebZ.com

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