District 65 Drama Department Mission
The District 65 Drama Department, established in 1927, is the longest thriving creative drama program in the United States. Under the guidance of creative drama specialists, this nationally renowned drama department provides the children of Evanston with exceptional theatre education. Central to that mission is the recognition that creative drama is both a theatrical art form and a powerful teaching methodology.
District 65 Drama Department Working Philosophy of Creative Drama
Creative Drama is an improvisational, non-exhibitional, process-centered form of drama in which participants are guided by a leader to imagine, enact and reflect upon human experience.
The Creative Drama process is dynamic. The leader guides the group to explore, develop, express and communicate ideas, concepts and feelings through dramatic enactment. In creative drama the group improvises action and dialogue appropriate to the content it is exploring, using the impulse of play and the elements of theatre to give form and meaning to the experience. The primary purpose of creative drama is to foster personality growth and to facilitate learning rather than to train actors for the stage. Creative Drama is used not only to teach the elements of the art form of theatre, but to make history and literature come alive, develop empathy, strengthen oral language skills, cultivate creativity, enhance collaborative decision-making and to develop ensemble. Students work with the leader to enact a scene, story, historical event, concept or idea. Elements of story structure such as character, plot, setting and conflict are also taught.
One of the greatest strengths of the drama program is its ability to reach all students, not just those who are successful in core academic areas. Because theatre is an organically differentiated art form incorporating visual art, dance, music, writing and technology, creative drama has the ability to reach all students. In class activities are differentiated to ensure that each student can be successful in the lesson. Students are encouraged to demonstrate learning and creativity through verbal and kinesthetic expression, writing, drawing, collaborative planning and various forms of reflection.
(adapted from Davis and Behm, “Terminology of Drama/Theatre With and For Children: A Redefinition.” Children’s Theatre Review XXVVII, 1 (1978), 10-11).
The District 65 Drama Department, established in 1927, is the longest thriving creative drama program in the United States. Under the guidance of creative drama specialists, this nationally renowned drama department provides the children of Evanston with exceptional theatre education. Central to that mission is the recognition that creative drama is both a theatrical art form and a powerful teaching methodology.
District 65 Drama Department Working Philosophy of Creative Drama
Creative Drama is an improvisational, non-exhibitional, process-centered form of drama in which participants are guided by a leader to imagine, enact and reflect upon human experience.
The Creative Drama process is dynamic. The leader guides the group to explore, develop, express and communicate ideas, concepts and feelings through dramatic enactment. In creative drama the group improvises action and dialogue appropriate to the content it is exploring, using the impulse of play and the elements of theatre to give form and meaning to the experience. The primary purpose of creative drama is to foster personality growth and to facilitate learning rather than to train actors for the stage. Creative Drama is used not only to teach the elements of the art form of theatre, but to make history and literature come alive, develop empathy, strengthen oral language skills, cultivate creativity, enhance collaborative decision-making and to develop ensemble. Students work with the leader to enact a scene, story, historical event, concept or idea. Elements of story structure such as character, plot, setting and conflict are also taught.
One of the greatest strengths of the drama program is its ability to reach all students, not just those who are successful in core academic areas. Because theatre is an organically differentiated art form incorporating visual art, dance, music, writing and technology, creative drama has the ability to reach all students. In class activities are differentiated to ensure that each student can be successful in the lesson. Students are encouraged to demonstrate learning and creativity through verbal and kinesthetic expression, writing, drawing, collaborative planning and various forms of reflection.
(adapted from Davis and Behm, “Terminology of Drama/Theatre With and For Children: A Redefinition.” Children’s Theatre Review XXVVII, 1 (1978), 10-11).