How to Make an Independent Theater Unforgettable

How to Make an Independent Theater Unforgettable

A small, independent theater is about the love of films that are shown there. Your customers love movies and you love to show them movies. Why not let them enjoy their favorite classics and oldies in the most comfortable theater seating? It doesn't have to be expensive or difficult to create a great environment in your small, independent theater.

What makes a great theater? First off, the movies you show is what gets people to come to your theater. But the way to get them to come back is to create a great environment that is comfortable, fun and relaxing. Touches like comfortable theater seating, a great concession stand, great sound and theater lighting can all enhance the experience of your customers and turn them into return customers.

For your customers, they want a different experience. That is why they are frequenting an independent theater, instead of a big chain. These customers are looking for a community feeling instead of a faceless corporation. But they also want the comfort and convenience of a larger theater.

Here are a couple of tips on how to take your independent theater space from good to great:

- Great concessions. Be creative in the things you offer people to snack on while they enjoy their movie. For example, instead of just popcorn, why not offer kettle corn or caramel corn or cheese popcorn? Or a bar with a choice of toppings for your popcorn?

Also consider pairing up with a local business that makes candy or snacks. Providing a handmade treat may appeal to your independent minded audience and give them something a little more delicious when they are enjoying their next movie. This is also a detail that can make your theater distinct in your community. Not only do you show independent movies, you will be the only theater in town that offers a special type of food, creating a unique experience for your customers.

- Great seating. Consider theater seating that is comfortable, durable and the highest quality for your customers. From seating that reclines all the way, with seating that offers special audio enhancements or even just seating that can help economize your space, you can find something that will be ideal for your audience. The choice is yours to help your customers relax and enjoy the show.

The good news is that theater seating is available in a range of sizes and styles. Theater seating can be placed in standard rows or in curved rows. Even seating that has tough stain resistant fabrics is available. Additionally, there are seats that can be easily installed without special tools that can work for your theater space.

There are styles that can work with your theater, whatever the size. You can choose classic theater seating or you can consider taking a more independent bent. For example, you can get pillow top styles, or classic lines that are neat and streamlined. There are an infinite number of choices available and all are guaranteed for years. Because of the quality of fabrics and leathers, as well as the top quality production from companies like Berkline and Palliser, you can feel confident that your purchase will last.

Ultimately, you can find the range of styles, prices and fabrics at the Theater Seat Store. We have expert consultants available now to discuss your theater seating needs, so give us a call.

-Themed events. Another great way to keep the customers coming is through themed nights or weeks. For example, spend a week showing classic movies that relate to the same theme as a contemporary movie. If it is about vampires, think about the different remakes of Dracula that have come out of Hollywood.

Add to this idea by including fun themed decorations all around the theater. Change the movie posters in your theater to have classic Dracula movies. Have the ushers wear fangs or fake blood - take the theme to new heights. Even consider special concessions that account for some of the movie themes - coffin candies from a local chocolate maker. Even think about tying it to Halloween week and include a trick or treat night for the kids.

- Great lighting. Lighting can add a lot to an environment, giving people the feeling they are truly at the movies. A great environment with lighting can be created by having special details like cup holders with lighting or lighting that comes from the bottom of the theater seating.

The key to great theater lighting is that it should be subtle and come from a variety of sources. The idea is to ease people into the darkness of the movie theater. By using different types of lighting, you can create the environment that people are looking for when they enter the movie theater. A movie is an experience and lighting is a big part of setting up that experience for your customers.

- Interesting decorations. A theater is about environment, so consider what types of decorations are on the walls and scattered throughout the theater. Put up classic movie posters that represent the types of movies your audience will appreciate. It's more about connecting with the types of movies you know they enjoy and will enjoy. Be sure to try and include posters of coming attractions, so you can entice them back for more!

A great theater is about two things: great movies and a great environment. You know what kinds of movies your customers want to see. Now let us help you build a great environment. Great seating and lighting can add to the theater experience. Here at the Theater Seat Store, we know what things can work in any and every space. With the best choices in theater seating anywhere, we can help you update your theater space to provide your customers with the maximum comfort and you with the best prices. In today's market, there is a lot of competition - offer your customers the best in theater seating and help them enjoy the show!

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5 Reasons Theater Makes Kids Better People

5 Reasons Theater Makes Kids Better People

When I was 6, my goal in life was to play Annie on Broadway. At the time, it didn't seem to matter that I was a round brown girl who didn't quite fit any respectable casting director's vision of this role. As a kid, it wasn't about "getting the job." I wanted to be involved in something important that made people happy. I wanted to use my imagination and have fun with other kids. I wanted to be part of the show.

It wasn't until I completed my studies in theater at Northwestern University and began my career that I began to realize the real benefits of my involvement in theater. After almost 20 years of teaching theater to children and youth of all ages, cultures, backgrounds, interests, and learning styles, I have discovered the key benefits of being involved in theater for every kind of kid. I have learned that your kid doesn't have to be the show-off or the drama geek or the drama queen or the tortured genius types to benefit from being involved in theater. Sure, I was one of those types (all of those types, actually) and I knew from a very young age that my life's work was theater-related. However, I have worked with shy kids and jock kids and animal lovers and math nerds and bullies and princesses and over-achievers and kids with special needs and...the list goes on and on. And I know that theater has the power to go beyond the stereotypes we are given to reach people at an authentic human level and help us ask ourselves, "How can I become a better person?"

Kids who are involved in theater are going through the process of answering this question for themselves. In my programs at Glitter  Razz Productions in Oakland, CA, our goal is to make this process conscious through our methodology of teaching and reinforcing social/emotional skills through the collaborative creation and performance of original plays. Not all theater and drama programs focus on this goal as consciously as we do and that's okay, too. Your kid may be cast as Annie (lucky!) in the local community theater production. The goal of that organization is most likely to present the best possible play and sell as many tickets as they can. But, I guarantee you. Your little Annie is still becoming a better person. In fact, your kid who wanted to play Annie but is playing Orphan #8 instead is also becoming a better person. Your kid who had no desire to be on stage but is helping paint the sets and run props during the show is becoming a better person. Even your kid who wasn't ready to audition for the play this year but is taking the theater's "Acting 101" class after school is becoming a better person.

No matter who your kid is or what their interests are, there are 5 key reasons why being involved with theater makes your kid a better person.

1. She is Discovering her Real Talents

Theater is a multidisciplinary art form. Successful theater productions at every level from Broadway to after school drama club to your backyard are dependent on a group of diverse people with diverse talents coming together towards one common goal. Theater needs performers and directors and writers and designers and musicians. Theater needs people who are strong leaders and marketers and managers and financial decision makers. There is a place for everyone in the theater and being involved can help your kid discover just where she fits into the big picture.

2. He is learning Collaborative Problem Solving

When you have all of these diverse folks coming together towards one common goal, there will inevitably be hundreds, even thousands of "good ideas." And all of these ideas have to somehow create 1 play that the audience will understand and enjoy. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, there are 5 core areas of competency in social/emotional learning; self-awareness; self management; social awareness; relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Theater offers the ideal playground for children and youth to practice and strengthen these competencies. Being involved in a theatrical production means:

• Constantly negotiating how and when to contribute or not contribute your ideas to the group

• Bouncing back when you don't get the part you want or your idea does not make it into the play

• Handling your emotions when you have received some tough feedback or you are tired and frustrated during a long rehearsal or you are nervous about opening night or one of your parents can't make it to the play

• Handling disagreements when someone thinks the play should go in one direction and you think it should go in another direction

• Overcoming the inevitable mistakes that are made -- lines are forgotten, cues are missed, sets fall down, costume pieces don't hold up -- deciding they are not the end of the world and figuring out how to learn from these mistakes

3. She is learning to Respect Differences

Theater can bring you all around the world and back again. In my years of theater, I have personally visited every continent, gone back and forth in time, and landed on planets yet to be discovered by NASA. Stories can take us anywhere we want to go without ever leaving the stage. On a theatrical expedition, we are required to enact and embody characters, ideas, and situations that are outside of our own experiences, our own comfort zones. When your kid takes on the stories and ideas of others, she is in the process of understanding life outside of themselves, their families, their towns. In learning how to appreciate and respect people who are different from them, kids are preparing to better navigate all areas of their life, work and play.

4. He is learning to Succeed Academically

A wide range of research has shown that involvement in theater strengthens students reading and writing skills. According to Americans for the Arts [http://www.americansforthearts.org], who has compiled a summary of some of the key findings, "Learning and participation in music, dance, theater, and the visual arts are vital to the development of our children and our communities." Through dramatic play, very young children are learning the building blocks of language development necessary to make them stronger oral and written communicators. School age children engaged in theater are learning to comprehend, recall, and restate what they are reading; how to ask critical questions for clarification and deeper comprehension; memorization and problem solving skills; elements of story for creative and non-fiction writing; and speaking in front of others. One study even shows that, as high school students read and analyze difficult dramatic texts such as Shakespeare, they are improving their ability to analyze all types of difficult materials including math and science texts. Through their involvement in theater, not only are your kids learning interesting facts, they are really learning how to learn.

5. She is Making Great Friends

The friends your child will make in the theater are some of the best friends they will ever have. We all know that the folks who are closest to us are the ones who have seen us at our best and our worst and have stuck by us after it's all said and done. Being involved with theater will give your kids a chance to "go through it" with a group of people; tackling a difficult project and coming out the other side so proud of what they have achieved together. It is similar to winning the championship game or traveling in a foreign land. The work is challenging but so rewarding. It teaches you more about yourself and the other people who are on the journey with you. It teaches you how to support each other on and off the stage.

I may have never had the chance to play Annie but I have and continue to become a better person everyday through my involvement in theater. Find a class near you or check for audition notices at your community theater. And don't worry if you think she might not "make it" as an actor. Give her the chance to be part of the show. I promise you, you will see your kid becoming more confident in his abilities, stronger in his social, emotional, and academic skills, and just an overall better friend.

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Why Go to the Theater?

Why Go to the Theater?

Theater is one of the oldest forms of performing art. From the stone ages, men and women have been telling stories by enacting them when even no language existed. Ancient Greek theater still inspires us and they continue to be staged in all languages of the world. The ancient Hindu scriptures regard the text of the theory of performing arts (Natya Shashtra) as the fifth Veda (Pancham Veda). And just like the Greek theater, ancient Indian Sanskrit theater were also highly developed. However, with the advent of film and television, theater has been facing an uphill battle to pull in the crowd.

The playwrights, and theater companies and groups had to reinvent themselves in many ways. Occasionally they have been successful, but still we have a long way to go. Technological advances in the film and television media keeps on attracting the audience with their glitz and glamor. But we fail to realize, theater has its own charm. Thornton Wilder, the famous playwright, once said, "I regard the theater as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being. This supremacy of theater derives from fact that it is always 'now' on the stage."

There is something magical in watching an ensemble of actors performing on the stage in front of you, telling you a story that you share with a room full of people. Arthur Miller said, "My feeling is that people in a group, en masse, watching something, react differently and perhaps more profoundly than they do in their living rooms". When we watch live theater on stage we can feel ourselves, we can see ourselves - when we watch a good theater we almost go through a life changing experience.

The power of stage is enormous - because it is real, it is not fake as in the movies. Thornton Wilder puts it this way, "We live in what is, but we find a thousand ways not to face it. Great theater strengthens our faculty to face it." It is not that nobody goes to the theater these days. In 2005 12.5 million people visited Broadway shows in New York and around 8.5 million people went to off Broadway theater. For good quality regional theaters too, you'll find it difficult to get a ticket if you do not purchase them in advance.

But the most neglected theater in USA is the community theater. They are hard pressed to get a good audience. They have to depend on those minuscule grants and donations from various sponsors. Ethnic theater groups (like ours) who do theater in their regional languages, even have a limited audience. We often have to face the challenge - how can we fill our theaters with our own audience?

The problem is that most of the plays we produce fail to connect with the people around us. They don't feel that electrifying experience when they watch the revivals or old classics of Bengali theater. The only value is the nostalgia that these plays invoke within us, nothing else.

The second issue is that, these productions do not have the star power to pull in the audience. Some groups have tried to bring in actors and directors from India in order to attract the audience, but that cannot be a solution. And finally, of course, is the lack of production funds that is required to rent a theater space, to create a gorgeous stage and to market the show in popular media like television.

To bring in the audience, the first condition is that we need to let the people know about the event. Inexpensive marketing methods like online marketing, some print media, fliers and posters can only reach a limited number of people. However,I think that to bring in the audience in this country, the first thing we need to do is to develop our own theater that can connect easily with our people.

We need to develop and produce plays that can reflect our own lives on stage, and only then will our people be interested in coming to watch their own plays. We (Ethnomedia Center for Theater Arts) have been trying to do this for some time now and have been partially successful. ENAD, another theater group in the Bay Area have also adopted the same philosophy. But we have a long way to go.

But I guess we need to start somewhere. Secondly, I think we need to establish a steady database of theater lovers who would like to watch our plays and then finding out the best means to reach out to them (email, snail mail whatever.) Creating a subscriber base is a standard practice of many community theaters, but since we do not have a regular schedule of shows planned well ahead, it is difficult for the audience members to plan their schedule around it. And finally, it is the audience who should feel the urge to go to the theater.

If a person does not feel excited about going to the theater, about experiencing the way life is enacted live in front of them, about listening to and experiencing the stories of ourselves, then nothing can work. Theater is like a mirror where we can see ourselves, but we need to muster up the courage to face it and to enjoy it whole heartedly.

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Using Shared Drives And Online Storage With Today's Laptops

Using Shared Drives And Online Storage With Today's Laptops

If you have ever used a shared drive before, you likely understand just how convenient it really can be. But some people might be interested to learn that they can use small laptops and notebooks to access many of these drives. Even the Macbook Air and Chrome Laptop are capable of storing a bit of data, if you are willing to integrate these cloud storage techniques. Think about whether you may want to get linked in to a cloud storage site that can actually help you take your organizational skills to the next level. If you figure out how this works, you may just find that you can get linked in to the perfect tool to promote collaboration in your office.

You may first want to think about whether you can use a shared drive that is designed for this kind of role. There are many great cloud storage spaces out there, including Dropbox and Google Drive. These spaces can allow you to upload thousands of documents or data sets that you may have accumulated over time. Think about whether you may want to get linked in to a network that truly supports any collaboration effort your workspace puts together. You can send data up to the cloud using your phone, which your colleagues can receive using their tablets.

If you have recently issued new notebooks to your employees and want them to use cloud storage, you may need to think about whether you should train them. Think about hosting a seminar or training workshop on how to use these different cloud networks with a notebook or other device. This may prove to be vital information for anyone who has ever wanted to teach their employees how to use a basic content search function. Managers will be impressed by the productive results they see when they take just a few steps to encourage use of these cloud storage networks.

In all, many offices could benefit from using these file management programs. This could help them encourage employees to use notebooks regularly throughout their work day. When an office place relies less on dedicated servers and bulky desktops, they will find that they can cut their overhead costs substantially. It is often simply more affordable to use notebooks and store data on these cloud storage networks. This could even help many businesses increase the mobility of their employees. Your employees may be much more capable of assisting customers and getting work done when they can simply use their notebooks.

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Tech Blog

Tech Blog

If you are willing to be professional and make money online you must need to create a professional online tech blog. As per my knowledge these kinds of online websites are making huge revenue through several strategies that they are using for the maximization of their business websites. These kinds of online contents are very much professional and very much reputed. Readers are always searching these kinds of online contents in order to maximize their knowledge about the currency technologies of the entire web. They are getting benefit through getting familiar with these kinds of knowledge. That is why they are constantly reading tech blogs in order to maximize their knowledge. On the other hand blog owners are taking advantage of the situation and generating benefit from their online content through the visitors they are getting on their website. They are charging their users for the traffic they are getting on their website. On the other hand their advertisers are advertising on their tech blog and getting publicity of their products. Their publishers are paying them on a monthly basis for the publicity they are getting from these kinds of tech blogs.

These kinds of tech advertisers are paying their publishers higher than any other advertisers of the network. They are having demand of their products and that is why they are getting sales of their products. Also they are getting leads for their services through this specific system called advertisement. They are always advertising on tech blog and seeking for online contents that are completely developed. They are looking for something dashing and really creative to look at. So, if you are running a tech blog you must need to make sure about the specific part of your online content while you will be working on that. That will be bringing you with several stages of benefits. You will be making money from your tech blog through this specific technology. While you will be thinking about the promotion section of your online content you must need to pay attention on the search engine submission section of your online content. That will be getting back to you with benefits for your online business website. Whatever you are running a website or a blog you must need to pay attention on the promotion section of your online content. While submitting your content to the search engines you must need to make sure about the major search engines of the entire web. In these days there are three search engines that are on the major form. One of them is called Google and other two are Yahoo and Microsoft Network. You must need to try them for the promotion of your online business blog content. You will be getting benefits in several steps through this specific technology called creating your own tech blog. If you are not having a blog you can create a free blog using the services of Blogger.

As per my knowledge presently Blogger is one of the professional services of the leading company called Google and they are providing this service for their users completely for free. On the other hand their users are maximizing their business and increasing the market revenue share of them through creating their own content and showing that to the audiences of the entire web. Also Google is getting huge publicity through providing this specific free tech blog creation service for their users. They are getting massive volume of hits from their users that are using their services in order to create their own online content. While creating your own professional tech blog completely for free you must need to pay attention on several strategies in order to gain with the professional online content of yours. One of the strategies will be content writing and you have to constantly work on the specific section in order to gain with your business. Also you must need to make sure about the keyword section of the online content of yours. At last you must need to know that how to make money blogging from the comfort of your own home.

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Top Tech Influencers on YouTube

Top Tech Influencers on YouTube

YouTube has extensively evolved beyond being a website for videos and audios. Now, it is a place where people share moments of their lives. Below is a list of identified Top Tech Influencers on YouTube. Majority of these YouTube Influencers are more on PC Hardware components and mobile gadgets.

Unbox Therapy

Lewis Hilsenteger, a technology reviewer showcases some cool Tech products we could experience through his successful YouTube Channel. Lewis' portfolio of brands is one of the most impressive which includes Intel, Microsoft, XFINITY, and Canon, these brands are just some which are in his portfolio. UnboxTherapy is one of the most popular Tech channels on YouTube, with over 300,000 subscribers. You could watch the unboxing of new gadgets, reviews and some though all sorts of gadgets.

Marques Brownlee

One of the biggest names in the Tech Influencer field. He is notorious in the Tech industry for being selective about the brands that he works with. Marques talks about a lot of mobile hardware such as smartphones and tablets, giving his own perception regarding the products and talks about good points related to the latest updates of such tech gadgets. His videos aim to explain and help the viewers to understand better about certain apps and services.

Austin Evans

Produces extinct entertaining reviews from smartphones, to gaming PCs and VR headsets. His personality can be seen through his videos. His sponsors are Mattel, VideoBlocks, and AtT.

TysiPhoneHelp

Ty's iPhone Help is about Apple's range of products, from iPhone to MacBook Pro. He also reviews some similar products on the market that are competitors of Apple.

DetroitBorg

It is hosted by Michael Kukielka, it's an impressive channel which features anything from iPhone to drones. He has also worked with some huge Technology Brands like LG.

iCrackUriDevice

This YouTube influencer calls himself ICU. He features a lot of news and rumors mostly about any Apple-related information including the latest iPhone models to MacBooks. He also does comparison videos between other similar products and is competitors of Apple.

Jonathan Morrison

Campaigned a $80 robot named "mip" against a "real life giant robot", and charging an iPhone with fire is truly an admirable and amazing discovery. Jonathan Morrison is conceivably one of the most creative Tech Influencers in the industry. He also has extensive experience on working with leading brands such as XFINITY and ATT.

CNETTV

Another tech news website that has YouTube channel where they implement and show product reviews, tutorials, exclusive reviews and lots of technology news.

UrAvgConsumer

Self proclaimed "Average guy who loves tech," Judner Aura has over 685K subscribers on YouTube. He is able to reach tech consumers in a great and extensive distance. Sony and LG are some of his brand sponsors.

LinusTechTips

Mainly unboxes computer hardware like PC Casings, motherboards, keyboards, mouse's and earphones. While doing the unboxing, he will talk about other helpful information that is related to the product he's unboxing.

TechnoBuffalo

One of the most prominent Technology Vloggers on YouTube. Founder Jon Rettinger a Californian Native has partnered with leading brands such as Lenovo and Qualcomm.

LockerGnome

Famous knowledgeable person, Chris Pirillo shares about the life of a geek with him in his daily videos. Some of his videos includes a small review about the latest smartphones and tablets. He voice out his experiences openly, which makes his videos genuine.

Techsource

A famous YouTube channel for its gaming PC reviews and some facts for the viewers to know the best tech deals of the week. Edgar Oganesyan has worked with big brands like LG and tech startups like Soylent.

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5 Reasons Theater Makes Kids Better People

5 Reasons Theater Makes Kids Better People

When I was 6, my goal in life was to play Annie on Broadway. At the time, it didn't seem to matter that I was a round brown girl who didn't quite fit any respectable casting director's vision of this role. As a kid, it wasn't about "getting the job." I wanted to be involved in something important that made people happy. I wanted to use my imagination and have fun with other kids. I wanted to be part of the show.

It wasn't until I completed my studies in theater at Northwestern University and began my career that I began to realize the real benefits of my involvement in theater. After almost 20 years of teaching theater to children and youth of all ages, cultures, backgrounds, interests, and learning styles, I have discovered the key benefits of being involved in theater for every kind of kid. I have learned that your kid doesn't have to be the show-off or the drama geek or the drama queen or the tortured genius types to benefit from being involved in theater. Sure, I was one of those types (all of those types, actually) and I knew from a very young age that my life's work was theater-related. However, I have worked with shy kids and jock kids and animal lovers and math nerds and bullies and princesses and over-achievers and kids with special needs and...the list goes on and on. And I know that theater has the power to go beyond the stereotypes we are given to reach people at an authentic human level and help us ask ourselves, "How can I become a better person?"

Kids who are involved in theater are going through the process of answering this question for themselves. In my programs at Glitter  Razz Productions in Oakland, CA, our goal is to make this process conscious through our methodology of teaching and reinforcing social/emotional skills through the collaborative creation and performance of original plays. Not all theater and drama programs focus on this goal as consciously as we do and that's okay, too. Your kid may be cast as Annie (lucky!) in the local community theater production. The goal of that organization is most likely to present the best possible play and sell as many tickets as they can. But, I guarantee you. Your little Annie is still becoming a better person. In fact, your kid who wanted to play Annie but is playing Orphan #8 instead is also becoming a better person. Your kid who had no desire to be on stage but is helping paint the sets and run props during the show is becoming a better person. Even your kid who wasn't ready to audition for the play this year but is taking the theater's "Acting 101" class after school is becoming a better person.

No matter who your kid is or what their interests are, there are 5 key reasons why being involved with theater makes your kid a better person.

1. She is Discovering her Real Talents

Theater is a multidisciplinary art form. Successful theater productions at every level from Broadway to after school drama club to your backyard are dependent on a group of diverse people with diverse talents coming together towards one common goal. Theater needs performers and directors and writers and designers and musicians. Theater needs people who are strong leaders and marketers and managers and financial decision makers. There is a place for everyone in the theater and being involved can help your kid discover just where she fits into the big picture.

2. He is learning Collaborative Problem Solving

When you have all of these diverse folks coming together towards one common goal, there will inevitably be hundreds, even thousands of "good ideas." And all of these ideas have to somehow create 1 play that the audience will understand and enjoy. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, there are 5 core areas of competency in social/emotional learning; self-awareness; self management; social awareness; relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Theater offers the ideal playground for children and youth to practice and strengthen these competencies. Being involved in a theatrical production means:

• Constantly negotiating how and when to contribute or not contribute your ideas to the group

• Bouncing back when you don't get the part you want or your idea does not make it into the play

• Handling your emotions when you have received some tough feedback or you are tired and frustrated during a long rehearsal or you are nervous about opening night or one of your parents can't make it to the play

• Handling disagreements when someone thinks the play should go in one direction and you think it should go in another direction

• Overcoming the inevitable mistakes that are made -- lines are forgotten, cues are missed, sets fall down, costume pieces don't hold up -- deciding they are not the end of the world and figuring out how to learn from these mistakes

3. She is learning to Respect Differences

Theater can bring you all around the world and back again. In my years of theater, I have personally visited every continent, gone back and forth in time, and landed on planets yet to be discovered by NASA. Stories can take us anywhere we want to go without ever leaving the stage. On a theatrical expedition, we are required to enact and embody characters, ideas, and situations that are outside of our own experiences, our own comfort zones. When your kid takes on the stories and ideas of others, she is in the process of understanding life outside of themselves, their families, their towns. In learning how to appreciate and respect people who are different from them, kids are preparing to better navigate all areas of their life, work and play.

4. He is learning to Succeed Academically

A wide range of research has shown that involvement in theater strengthens students reading and writing skills. According to Americans for the Arts [http://www.americansforthearts.org], who has compiled a summary of some of the key findings, "Learning and participation in music, dance, theater, and the visual arts are vital to the development of our children and our communities." Through dramatic play, very young children are learning the building blocks of language development necessary to make them stronger oral and written communicators. School age children engaged in theater are learning to comprehend, recall, and restate what they are reading; how to ask critical questions for clarification and deeper comprehension; memorization and problem solving skills; elements of story for creative and non-fiction writing; and speaking in front of others. One study even shows that, as high school students read and analyze difficult dramatic texts such as Shakespeare, they are improving their ability to analyze all types of difficult materials including math and science texts. Through their involvement in theater, not only are your kids learning interesting facts, they are really learning how to learn.

5. She is Making Great Friends

The friends your child will make in the theater are some of the best friends they will ever have. We all know that the folks who are closest to us are the ones who have seen us at our best and our worst and have stuck by us after it's all said and done. Being involved with theater will give your kids a chance to "go through it" with a group of people; tackling a difficult project and coming out the other side so proud of what they have achieved together. It is similar to winning the championship game or traveling in a foreign land. The work is challenging but so rewarding. It teaches you more about yourself and the other people who are on the journey with you. It teaches you how to support each other on and off the stage.

I may have never had the chance to play Annie but I have and continue to become a better person everyday through my involvement in theater. Find a class near you or check for audition notices at your community theater. And don't worry if you think she might not "make it" as an actor. Give her the chance to be part of the show. I promise you, you will see your kid becoming more confident in his abilities, stronger in his social, emotional, and academic skills, and just an overall better friend.

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