A stage for growth

“Tell me, and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand” is an old proverb that describes our drama program at Wuhan Yangtze International School.

Here, we embrace experiential learning in our curriculum, inviting students to immerse themselves fully in the art of storytelling and performance. Through active participation and hands-on exploration, students become active agents of their own learning journey instead of passively absorbing knowledge.

Drama in education

Engaging in drama not only nurtures artistic talents but also positively impacts personal development. Through the process of rehearsing and performing, students learn to communicate more effectively. Drama encourages adaptability—students learn to handle constructive feedback and view challenges as opportunities for growth. Students develop the confidence to stand in front of an audience and project their voice into the world.

Leading our drama program is Elizabeth Goddard. According to Goddard, an important value of drama is having students learn how to collaborate as a team. “Part of teamwork is that students get to see that putting on the final product doesn’t mean that everyone does the same thing,” she said. “It means that people with different skills have to do different work to put together a final project and I think that reflects real life. We should honor each other’s skills and realize that we need all the parts of the body.”

A curriculum that inspires

The drama curriculum is designed to offer students a comprehensive view of the theatrical world. Available to both middle and high school students, drama elective classes offer a wide range of units that focus on specific topics. Units are often updated from year to year to create an engaging experience for new and returning students.

Units such as pantomime challenge students to communicate stories without words. Improvisation encourages quick thinking in unscripted scenarios. Theater history gives students an appreciation of the different styles of performing arts. Additionally, broadcasting introduces students to live coverage of sports events.

Drama students go on annual field trips to enrich their learning experience. They recently visited the renowned Han Show Theatre to gain insight into the various aspects of a production. They were treated to an exclusive backstage tour of the facilities after the show, giving them a behind-the-scenes look at how the show is managed.

Cultivating student leadership

High school drama students are provided with opportunities to not only shine onstage but also to excel in important offstage roles. Students are responsible for stage management, lighting, sound, costumes, hair and makeup. Each team is also led by a student leader. By managing the details that bring a production together, students learn the art of leadership and the importance of every role in achieving collective success. This hands-on approach equips them with skills that are transferable to any career path they choose to pursue.

Spotlight on success

An inspiring success story is that of David deMena, a 2015 graduate from Wuhan Yangtze. During his time at our school, he wrote his own play for a Christmas production. His passion for theater and film continued to grow afterwards at Asbury University in the United States. While in university, David directed and acted in several productions, including Beauty and the Beast, along with small films that earned him multiple awards. Today, he works for The Mill, a global production studio based in Los Angeles, California in addition to participating in an improvisation group.

Through our holistic education, we are preparing students for success both on and off the stage. The stage is set for a future where our students continue to learn, love and lead with the lessons learned in drama long after the curtain closes.