Exploring the Role of Theatre in Primary School Education - Dissertation Example

Early exposure to national and international drama could positively affect the learning experience of children in primary schools. Because of the positive impact of incorporating theatre-related activities in the curriculum of the primary school students, international organizations such as the International Drama/Theatre and Education Association (IDEA) was established to promote the importance of cultural diversity in drama, theatre, and education of the students in more than 90 countries around the world (IDEA, 2011).
Commonly mistaken as one, Gavin Bolton revealed that there are similarities and differences when it comes to theatre in education and drama in education in terms of mode, structure, purpose, and content (Bolton, 1980, p. 69). Concerning primary school education, this study will focus on exploring the significance of theatre in education in terms of enhancing the quality of education given to Key Stage 1 and 2 students.
Theatre in education can be utilized to promote social change (Jackson, 1993, p. 19). To give the readers with a better understanding of the research topic, a literature review will be conducted to determine the significance of theatre in education including how it began and develop into what it is today. Eventually, the views of the National Curriculum with regards to the integration of theatre exposure in the curriculum of the primary school students will be tackled in detail. As part of promoting the importance of theatre in education, the business performance of existing companies that manages these theatres will be examined.
As common knowledge, the fee of most theatre-related services is very high because theatre programs are labor-intensive (Aesop's Touring Theatre Company, 2011b). Concerning the high cost of theatre in education, this study will focus on determining whether or not the benefits of incorporating theatre in education in the curriculum of Key Stage 1 and 2 students outweigh the socio-economic consequences of needing to pay the fees of theatre services.