How to Start a High School Drama Club

High school drama clubs help students practice their acting skills.

In 2006, Disney's film "High School Musical" gave high school drama clubs everywhere a boost with its catchy tunes and upbeat themes. Participating in a drama club can help high school students sharpen their acting and public speaking skills, learn more about theater arts and connect with each other socially. According to the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, students involved in dramatic arts perform better in academics and are less likely to drop out than other students.

Instructions

1. Write a proposal of what you want to accomplish by starting a high school drama club. Be specific about goals and benefits, what type of students you want to recruit and how it will impact the school.

2. Obtain permission from your high school principal. Do this by using the proposal you created to convince the principal to let you to start a drama club. Ask your principal if your club needs an adult chaperon, and choose a senior student or teacher to chair meetings.

3. Advertise for club members. Use intercom announcements, advertise in the monthly newsletter or school magazine, and post information in the cafeteria or other common areas. Let potential members know when and where they can learn more about the drama club.

4. Hold an inaugural meeting to decide on the short-term and long-term goals you wish to achieve. For example, short-term goals might include team-building activities and long-term goals might include performing a play for the school or community.

5. Assign a role and key responsibilities to each member of the club. Decide which students will be in charge of finding scripts, costumes and props, and which will coordinate fundraising and advertising. Make a list of members' roles and post it in your usual meeting area so everyone is aware of who is in charge of what.

6. Choose regular meeting times. Agree on a time and place to suit students' schedules, such as before or after classes in the school auditorium. Hold weekly meetings at your usual venue, but have a backup venue, such as a park, where your club can meet weekends for extra rehearsal when necessary.

References

• NaturalFamilyOnline.com: The Easy Way to Start a School Drama Club
• IMDb.com: High School Muscial
• American Alliance for Theatre & Education: The Effects of Theatre Education

Resources

• Creative Drama & Theatre Education: Theatre Games
• Lesson Plan Central: Drama