Real Stories

My 10 year old son is in his second year with DramaKids. He loves the program and looks forward to going every week. The teachers seem to be uniformly patient and enthusiastic. They do a great job of cultivating a supportive atmosphere in class, so Eric feels comfortable "letting loose" and exploring his creativity. The exercises are fun and keep his attention easily.

I am delighted because Eric had always been afraid of being the center of attention and tended not to volunteer to do anything involving presenting or standing up in front of people. In fact, we have a long history of his breaking into tears in preschool shows and my needing to literally carry him off.

Eric has come a long way since then. He was pretty nervous right before the Drama Kids final show last year, but his teacher successfully calmed him down. Ultimately, he did fine once on stage. During the summer, he successfully auditioned for one of the lead roles in a play at camp and was so proud of himself. That has been thrilling to watch.

In school this year, Eric seems more confident and less fearful of speaking up. I believe that Drama Kids played a key role in this positive change.
Barbara G. - Parent

During the presentation to parents a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't help but notice how Craig had matured and gained in confidence and self esteem in the years he has been with you. For this I thank you enormously and hope that this will help Craig in future years in whatever he chooses to do. Once again, I would like you to know how important you have been in making Craig the confident well-spoken young boy he has become.
Dawn W. - Parent

Thank-You so very much for the wonderful years of dedication to your students, especially Jess. We have been delighted with your drama program and recommend the classes to others. It really has been fantastic for Jess. I have always felt that her drama has contributed to her self-esteem and confidence. In every one of those seven years she hated to miss a single class!
Jane & Nick S. - Parents

This is a really wonderful program! Jennifer is enjoying it so much. What a pity you don't do it for adults!
Rhonda A. - Parent

I just wanted to send you a quick note to thank you for such great success with Drama Kids. This is the first year my daughter has been enrolled in Drama Kids and my daughter just loves going week after week.  She is enrolled in a dance class before drama, and initially I thought two back to back classes might be too much for her as she is 6 years old. I asked her in the beginning of October if she wanted to continue with drama, and she positively replied, I love my drama class. 

Each week she speaks more clearly, has more confidence and voice projection, and her articulation is improving.  Even a friend that hadn’t seen her in a while commented that her speech had drastically improved and attributed it to the fact that she was getting older and more mature. I commented, do you think the drama class has anything to do with her improvements? Of course it did.  Her instructor Kimberly is fantastic, so energetic, bubbly and exciting to see each week. Kimberly makes the children WANT to come back week after week. You can see from the children’s faces that they are so happy to be in drama class. 

Once in a while, at the end of class we get to see the children perform, and boy, they are so excited to show us what they have learned. The compliments the children receive at the end of class are definitely encouraging.  One more point, when we needed to go to another site for a makeup, my daughter walked right in, no fear to perform in front of all new children.  I was very surprised to see that in a 6 year old in a new facility, with all new children.

Thanks to you both for a great drama program!!!  Can’t wait to see the children’s performance.

Best Regards
Rori W.

Dear Arlene,

As the school year draws to a close there is so much excitement in our home.  Tommy’s exuberance about Drama Kids and the upcoming show is such a pleasure to see.  I’d like to thank you for making it possible.

I could tell after the very first class that Drama Kids held strong appeal for Tommy’s imagination and desire for self-expression.  Even at age 8, his imagination is so strong that he really lives in two worlds – the real one and the make-believe one.  As reality creeps up each year some of the comforts of make-believe are shed.  Drama Kids has given him a place where make-believe can keep on happening, but in a real world way.

The upcoming show will be Tommy’s first.  The months of classes have really paid off as he is performing with great confidence.  He is so proud to be the lead fox.  This is one of the first chances he’s had to be a leader.  You’ve given him a taste of what it’s like to a successful leader by providing a supportive environment.

The benefits have already transferred into other aspects of his life.  He didn’t think he had any talents to showcase at his school’s upcoming variety show.  So I told him about the old Abbott & Costello “Who’s On First” routine.  He jumped at the chance to perform it in front of the whole school, without any thought of stage fright (confidence).  He plans to ask as many people as it takes to get a partner (determination).  He’s rounding up a cast of 8 to hold up signs that will help the audience understand the joke (leadership).  And of course, he’s laughing his head off.  What could be better for my child?

Thank you again Arlene, for providing this wonderful opportunity.  Drama Kids is keeping make-believe alive for Tommy while fostering personal growth in the real world.

Bes wishes,
Liz

Adam, our youngest, tends to be the very shy type, even when around people he has known for a long time.  However, more recently, he has "bloomed" in his personality and his confidence.

When I saw Adam give his first performance with his group, I knew that Drama Kids was what he needed all along.  A parent usually knows what potential is in their children; in this case, it took Drama Kids to bring that to the surface.
Jacque D.

After attending Drama Kids, Delany said “I wish I could go to Drama Kids class for the rest of my life!”  I am tickled she is so enthusiastic about the program.  It really is a wonderful start to the week.
Delany F.’s Mom

Hi Beverly - Lauren LOVED the class today, so we will be continuing them....thank you so much for offering this program.  She's quite shy, and I think this is just the thing for her confidence.

Thanks again, and we'll see you next Friday!

Louise K.

Drama Kids has been an awesome experience for Quentin!  I’ve heard a lot of good things come about kids who participate in drama classes and what benefits it has for self confidence and have seen the benefits first hand.  Last year Quentin was very hesitant to try things he wasn’t comfortable withand I was afraid it would effect his performance as he started school.  Almost immediately after enrolliing in Drama Kids, I saw him engage in activities that he never would before. A year later he continues to grow and explore new things!
Tina B.

My daughter Jessica has been doing Drama Kids for two years now.  She loves every minute of class, and has become a big fan of live theatre.  This class has given Jessica confidence in front of all types of audiences from her peers to full audiences.  In fact, last summer she was in a full length productions of Sleeping Beauty at the State Theatre in Tiffin Ohio.   In addition to her confidence and theatre experiences, drama has given her a great advantage in reading as she is very aware of inflection, conversation and relationships as practiced in class and that has carried over to her reading skills.  Drama Kids has been a wonderful well rounded enrichment experience for Jessica.
Tracey G.

Drama Kids has been a marvelous experience for our daughter Rachel.  This is her second year and she has become much more participative in her classroom activities.  It is her favorite of all her extra curricular activities! The training provides her with an appropriate forum for her active imagination and story telling ability.
Shelly P.

Hi Bev,

Just wanted to thank you so much for letting me "sit in" yesterday. That program is fantastic.  Sorry I had to leave early and miss the teens.  I know it was great!  I wish every kid in the world could take it. I know it could really change self-esteem, self expression, socialization, communication skills--the possibilities are endless--as I know you are well aware.  I wish there was a program like that for adults.

Keep up the great work,
Amy

Dear Tamara,

Just wanted to share these pictures of Blake with you .  He had such a great time at Comedy Camp!  You were really able to bring out the side of him that he doesn't often share with the public.  Definitely a huge confidence booster!  Hope you plan to do it again next year ~Blake is looking forward to it.
Debbie E.

Hi Miss Tricia,

Nikole has really enjoyed this summer camp. In fact, she mentioned she would be interested in doing the afterschool program.

Thanks! It's been fun to see her so excited about something. We really appreciate the time you give... and especially the individualized praise and encouragement you offer each day before dismissing the kids. What a dramatic effect you are having on their self-esteem!
Nancy J. U. - CPSM, FSMPS

We would like to thank you for helping Jessica come out of her little shy shell.  Not that there is anything wrong with being shy, but the confidence level is so much better.  And it started with the first day of drama (she cried) but wanted to keep going because she knew it was a lot of fun being able to act (which she has always done at home), and then when she met you, she absolutely relaxed and just adored you and knew she could do this.  She still adores you and it's so neat to hear her get so excited and talk to her friends and family about her best drama teacher and how much fun she has as your Drama Kid.  :)  We are so proud of her.

So thank you!! 
Sincerely,
Scott and Bridgett A.

Abbey is LOVING  her class.  It was so nice of you to ask!  Turns out Abbey has multiple people from her classes at school in the drama class.  When she and her friends see one another in class each day, they count down how many days they have left until Thursday's drama class.  Also, Abbey absolutely loves her instructor and what they're doing in class.  We moved from Japan (where we lived for five years) a short time ago, and Abbey's having some trouble adjusting.  Drama class has really helped her alot.  Again, thank you for asking after her.
Amber