How can acting classes help anxiety?
Anxiety, shyness and low self-esteem are very real for so many of us... How might acting classes help?
Because shyness - and anxiety to an extent - is very real to those who experience it, it can be quite daunting to imagine walking into a room full of people to play games, perform scenes and interact with complete strangers. This is something we are told often at MG, many people, both young and old experience this anxiety and it often has them feeling terrified of walking into our studio. What we have learned over the years however, is that in many cases, acting classes help to build confidence and allow anxious or shy people an outlet where they can begin to make brave choices and conquer their fears in a supportive, relaxed environment. You can begin almost immediately to learn about yourself through offering what you are to others. You may also have loads of fun along the way! Check out just a few of the reasons that Acting Classes can help people suffering from anxiety or shyness.
A stress release:
Meeting with other like minded people can be a form of relief, as much as it can make you nervous leading up to it. Shyness can sometimes mean that a person is alone for no good reason, simply being with others can be a way to break down the barriers that sometimes hinder communication. Many drama sessions begin with easy to follow warm ups that, through physical movement and relaxation techniques, allow the body to express itself. Plus, there is no right or wrong in these activities so no one is going to judge you! Generally it's a way to relax, laugh and let out some of those everyday stresses - and you'll find often that others in the class feel similar anxieties too. Kids often feel this release of worry after their initial nervousness also, it is often we have shy, anxious children enter our classrooms and after a short amount of time, they are bursting with energy and enthusiasm due to relaxed nature of the space. Once students have attended a few classes, they generally begin to understand that many people around them have the same fears and worries as they do, so it something everyone is quite accepting of.
Learning about yourself:
No, this is not a way of massaging your ego, or a platform for you to show off (these can come later!). This is all about gradually opening up, helping yourself feel wanted and making up for lost opportunities. At this stage you should just go with the flow and not place any deadlines or goals of any kind for the future. If during your first few times in the acting class you feel you can't participate in certain activities tell the teacher - they will understand that you need a time out to gather your wits and just observe.
Offering:
Sharing time with others in drama means you are offering your energy and personality in a positive way. Even simple things like a look, a small gesture, a movement can be highly significant and take on extra power. The way a person inhabits space by just being can provide all sorts of possibilities in drama. Out of all the performing arts drama is certainly the most inclusive because your personality alone can provide the talent.
Even our students and their parents agree!
"As a parent of a student at Mooregrace Acting Studios I can say that my daughter suffered from anxiety, nervousness and shyness to a large degree, but after attending Mooregrace Acting Studios for only a month my daughter became a different person, was happier, and her school work went through the roof. She gained confidence in her ability to stand up and share in class and best of all she is finding out how fabulous she really is. So a massive shoutout to Mooregrace Acting Studios for giving my daughter a passion for life and the confidence to navigate through it. To anyone with a child experiencing anxiety or lacking in self confidence I urge you to give these wonderful people a call"
"My eldest daughter becomes very anxious in new situations and every staff member went out of their way to ensure that she felt safe and looked after. The massive smiles and exclamations of that being ‘the best night ever’ when they had finished their first class was amazing to see and hear."
"We thought acting classes sounded like a good way to boost our boy's confidence as he was extremely quiet in public so we gave it a try. He was only 7. He was a bit nervous to start with but with the encouragement from the teachers he soon overcame this. Not only did he have so much fun, he has learnt numerous skills over the years, including how to act, be confident, improvise, direct, film and memorise scripts."
"I walked into the class petrified, I think I changed my outfit five times before I left the house. The teachers were warm and welcoming, the class gave me a sense of confidence, allowed me to have greater belief in myself and reduced my anxieties associated with social situations."
"My son's self esteem has sky rocketed, he now believes in himself so much that he realises his high potential and is now thriving into achieving his dreams."