DEC
6

Service Learning:  The Gift of Theatre

By Lorraine Thompson 

Lorraine Thompson currently is the head of the Drama Department at Athens Academy in Athens, Georgia.  Her bachelor’s degree in Education is from Auburn University of Montgomery and her Masters in Fine Arts in Theatre is from the University of Georgia.  She enjoys spending her summer months working as an actress. 

Thanksgiving to Christmas is an incredible season for giving.  All across the country, schools, churches, synagogues, mosques, groups, clubs, and individuals are working to serve their communities.  But why limit this spirit of generosity and compassion to just this one time of year?

In my drama department and club, service learning is a part of who we are.  No doubt, this facet of our identity is nearly as beneficial for my students as it is for those on the receiving end.

Service learning, by definition, is “an educational approach that combines learning objectives with community service.”  I have made it a significant part of my drama program because it’s more than just a tool that teaches compassion.  Beyond teaching teens to notice and care about others, it teaches them how.  They come to realize the gift of time, of sharing their talents.  They learn to see what resources they could provide, what tangible skills they have and can use to provide assistance to those in need.  Lots of kids want to help others, but not many of them know how.  Service learning shows my students the joy of helping others while teaching them how, and these lessons last a lifetime.

Adults often talk about how today’s kids are disconnected from their community.  As theatre teachers, we are in the perfect position to help bridge this gap.  When our students — who are passionate about the theatre arts — go into the community, they are more likely to make a difference if they can be given a chance to share their skills and passion.

This time of year is especially easy to incorporate community service.  We participate in a Secret Santa project for local foster children and make holiday cards for the residents of a nearby nursing home.  In past years, we sponsored a community story time event dressed as Mrs. Claus and the elves.

But what about the rest of the year?  Here are some of the ways my theatre students have contributed to their community:

• Children’s Touring Troupe — This small troupe of high school actors takes a short, children’s play into the community at no cost.  By doing so, they are introducing and sharing their love of live theatre with those who have not experienced it before.
• Storybook Characters for Libraries or Charity Events — Dressing as holiday or fairy tale characters for community events is an easy way to serve, while also doing some solid character work. 
• Benefit Nights — All donations from one night of our fall play go to a local charity.  The organization also displays their information, including ways to contribute, in the lobby.
• Food Bank Nights — Certain performances are sometimes designated as “food bank donation” nights, with all proceeds going to local food pantries.  You could also consider offering $1 off per ticket for those bringing a canned good.
• Singing at a Nursing Home — Whether caroling at the holiday season or practicing songs from your spring musical, nursing homes and senior day centers welcome groups like this.
• Community Showcase — We sponsor an annual showcase night.  All local drama departments are invited to join in this event.  Songs, scenes, and monologues are performed.  This noncompetitive event that brings everyone together is a student favorite.

By involving our students in service learning projects, we are helping them to develop independence, identify problems, be resourceful, and solve challenges creatively.  Through this style of learning, students can come to realize just how gifted and talented they are, that they have a place in this world, and that their skills and abilities have many real-life applications and benefits.

By teaching my students the value of serving others, I believe I am actually serving them.  I am sharing a life path.  As Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

The experience provided by arts-based service is a unique fulfillment, and service learning can impact a student for the rest of their life.  It’s the gift of any season.