Do Theatre Classes Help Kids Do Better in School? What Parents Should Know.

Parents ask us this question all the time at Music Theatre Philly…

A child starts taking a theatre class, they’re having fun, they’re making friends, they’re singing show tunes around the house… and eventually a parent asks: “This is great, but is it actually helping them in school too?” It’s a fair question. Families are busy, and most parents want to know that the activities their kids are doing outside of school are supporting their growth in meaningful ways.

The short answer is yes. Theatre supports a lot of the same skills kids need to succeed in the classroom. In fact, many of the things we practice in rehearsal show up in school in surprising ways. And while the goal of theatre class isn’t to turn every child into a Broadway star, it does help kids grow into confident communicators, creative thinkers, and strong collaborators.

Confidence and Communication

One of the first things we see change in students who take theatre classes is their confidence when speaking. In theatre, kids are constantly practicing how to express themselves clearly. They learn how to project their voice, speak in front of a group, and communicate ideas in a way that others can hear and understand.

For some kids this comes naturally. For others it takes practice. But over time, we see students become more comfortable raising their hand in class, presenting projects, or participating in discussions. The skills they practice on stage translate directly into those everyday classroom moments.

Reading and Storytelling

Theatre is really all about storytelling. When students work with scripts, they are doing a lot of the same thinking they do in language arts classes. They’re asking questions like: Why does this character feel this way? What is happening in this scene? What is the bigger story we are telling? Research has shown that participation in drama education can support literacy development and strengthen skills like reading comprehension and verbal expression (Celume et al., 2020). In theatre, kids are analyzing stories, interpreting characters, and connecting emotionally to the text. Those are the same skills they use when they read novels or write essays in school.

Focus, Memory, and Following Directions

Learning theatre also asks a lot of kids in terms of focus. Students are remembering choreography, learning lines, listening for cues, and following directions from teachers and directors. Sometimes they are doing all of that at once. These experiences naturally build executive functioning skills like attention, memory, and organization. Those are the same skills kids rely on when they are completing homework, studying for tests, or managing classroom routines.

Teamwork and Social Skills

One of the most beautiful parts of theatre is that it’s a team activity. No show happens because of one person. It works because everyone contributes something to the process. Students learn how to listen to each other, support their castmates, and work toward a shared goal. They practice collaboration in a very real way.

Studies on arts education have also found that participating in theatre programs can strengthen children’s social and emotional development, including empathy and collaboration skills (Celume et al., 2020). We see this all the time in our classrooms. Kids learn how to encourage each other, celebrate each other’s successes, and pick each other up when things don’t go perfectly.

The Bigger Picture

At the end of the day, theatre class is about much more than performing. It’s about helping kids discover their voice, connect with others, and learn how to express themselves in creative ways. The skills they build along the way: confidence, communication, collaboration, and creativity, are the same skills that help them succeed in school and in life. And honestly, the best part is that they’re learning all of this while having a really good time.

A Note for Parents

If your child loves to sing, dance, tell stories, or simply enjoys being part of a creative group, theatre classes can be a wonderful place for them to grow. At Music Theatre Philly, we focus on creating a supportive environment where students can explore the arts, build friendships, and develop confidence both on and off the stage.

We feel lucky to watch that growth happen every day.

References

Celume, M. P., Besançon, M., & Zenasni, F. (2020). Developing children’s socio-emotional competencies through drama pedagogy training. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 563152.

Ishiguro, C., et al. (2023). Extracurricular music and visual arts activities are related to improved academic performance in adolescence. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 10060367.

"That confidence does not stay in the theatre. It follows them into classrooms, friendships, interviews, and future challenges."