Drama in and out of the home
Twenty-one Hamilton homeschoolers have said drama has worked wonders for their confidence.
The students, aged between seven and 16, say they have overcome shyness and are now able to perform on stage.
Their talents will be showcased this weekend in the Pilgrim’s Progress production of The Journey.
Homeschool Dramatix, based in the Waikato, has been putting on shows for the past six years.
Parent-in-charge Kathryn Pyne said the productions were beneficial to the kids because it gave them an opportunity to be social.
‘‘It’s really good for them having the opportunity to present to an audience. It’s a lot of work but it’s definitely worth it,’’ she said.
Pyne took the lead with the group this year. For her, it is a family affair.
She has three kids in the production: Ethan, Isaac and Anna, and her other daughter, Sarah, is the assistant director.
The children agreed the experience was fun.
‘‘Plays are really fun even though this year I’ve had to learn a lot of lines,’’ Ethan Pyne, 14, said.
Thirteen-year-old Emily Simpson joined the group because ‘‘it was quite an exciting experience,’’ and she always wanted to be an actress, she said.
Some of the kids found the group to be a great way to be bold.
Jada Rolston performed ballet as a child but was pulled out of the hobby by her mother because she was so shy she wouldn’t do anything.
She said she always wanted to perform but her shyness got in the way. Her mum joined her up for the drama group to boost her confidence - and it worked. ‘‘Now I love it,’’ Rolston said. Pyne decided to homeschool her children after working as a primary school teacher.
Her kids were born a few years apart and she didn’t want to send them off to school. She found other parents involved in homeschooling and became part of the community.
‘‘I wanted to spend more time with them. With homeschooling, the kids get to do more of what they’re interested in,’’ Pyne said.
The Journey, Elim Church, 21 Maui St, Pukete, on Friday, September 22 at 1pm and 7pm and Saturday, September 23 at 6pm. Tickets from door sales are $5 per person and $25 per family.