As drama programmes face continuing cuts, it is important to remember just how important drama can be to young people. From combatting social media’s devastating effect on girls’ body image to educating about knife crime, drama is an outlet that brings positive change to young people.
Since 2017, arts funding from national bodies, including for drama, has been cut by 16% in real terms across the UK. Young people are also increasingly avoiding art subjects at GCSE level since the introduction of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). In 2024, 41% of schools no longer enter any pupils for Drama GCSE. This decreasing funding and reduced opportunities to study drama come despite the positives young people can gain from it.
Drama’s potential for educating
One example of how drama can have a positive effect is that in 2020, a project named ‘Skin Deep’ was initiated by the Good Citizen Programme (a collaboration between the Arson Task Force [Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service and Northamptonshire Police] and the Wellingborough Safer Stronger Neighbourhood Partnership & the North Northamptonshire Community Safety Partnership). This project was set up to educate school children in the Wellingborough area on the issues of gangs and bullying. The production told the story of a young woman who is groomed by an older man.
Good Citizen Programme organiser, Shaun Johnson commented on the delivery of the project: “I have to say, the pupils were captivated throughout and I fully recognise the importance of using drama to deliver these important warning messages about how young people can so easily be groomed and absorbed into gangs. These productions force students to sit up and take notice, raising awareness of the warning signs they need to know in order to help keep themselves safe.”
The programme has also reached out to primary schools with a production called Safe, highlighting the blight of bullying and the danger of carrying knives. Both productions focused on the huge repercussions of crime. These initiatives are proof that drama can radicalise society and so improve the lives of young people, and more of these projects are needed in other parts of the UK to help obliterate these crimes for good.
Social media and the benefits of drama to the psyche
Beyond educating young people in a way they can relate to and engage with, drama is a powerful outlet for young people. It can be a great resource to combat the damaging effect of social media on its users.
Girls in particular who use social media often aspire to its view of the so-called perfect body image. This can encourage feelings of low self-esteem and promote negative thoughts about their appearance. Social media is known to sometimes be a major cause of eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and can even cause issues with depression and suicide amongst young people.
Drama teacher Kerry Hishon recently highlighted the issue of body image on the drama teacher resource company’s website Theatrefolk. Her article entitled ‘Body Image in Drama Class’ identified ways in which teachers can address this sensitive issue through drama. In the article, she sets out a list of exercises related to the subject of body image, to assist drama teachers with scenarios for their students to work on, each designed to address the problem of body image. She explains: “As teachers, we want to encourage our students to have confidence in themselves and be proud of their bodies and what they can do.”
Her examples include showing performers of all different shapes, sizes and body types to students. Another technique is encouraging students to write positive compliments about themselves.
Where to find drama classes for young people
Many secondary schools include drama as an elective subject, or as part of English and literature studies. At GCSE and A Level, drama studies are focused intensely on performance, script analysis, directing and production. However, schools are increasingly reducing the opportunities for young people to engage with drama.
Instead, young people must look to after-school drama clubs. Many schools offer drama clubs as part of their extra-curricular programmes. Students participate in plays, competitions and workshops, often enhancing their learning in English and other subjects.
Outside school, part-time performing arts clubs such as Stagecoach provide drama classes, dance classes and singing lessons in areas across the UK.
Performing to an audience can build a young person’s confidence and skills in areas such as presenting, debates and interviews. It may also motivate students who show promising talent and enthusiasm to enter the acting or performing arts profession.
Whatever way a young person picks up drama, its benefits are clear. Drama provides a distraction from negative social media and so prevents negative thoughts. It increases confidence and develops language and communication skills. Encouraging young people to express their emotions can divert their attention from crime, such as stabbings and anti-social behaviour. This is because drama fosters empathy and social intelligence as the participant learns to understand different perspectives and emotions. Through performance initiatives like the Good Citizen Programme, young people can be educated in an engaging way.
Drama is therefore a valuable asset in today’s society. It helps to safeguard young people’s welfare and future, giving them the confidence to shine in everyday life.
