The primary role of a college and
university is to create an environment for its students that is conducive to learning. Although academics are
the primary focus of these institutions, extracurricular activities also play a major role in the personality
development of a student.
Extracurricular activities in a college or university are aimed at ensuring that the spare time of a student
is spent doing something creative. There are numerous extracurricular activities available including
athletics and clubs; however, one of the most sought-after activities is drama.
Participation in the drama or theatre club can significantly enhance the personality of a student and develop
a number of valuable skills. Confidence development is the most cited benefit of participating in drama as an
extracurricular activity.
Shyness and fear of public speaking are two common personality traits that are observed in students. Drama
involves expressing oneself in front of a large audience, thereby ensuring that over a period of time any
hesitation or shyness in the student's mind is alleviated.
Dramatic art is the basis of all human emotions and forms an integral part of our daily lives. We enact
various roles in our lifetime, and we learn from observing and imitating others. Participation in drama
activities provides an ideal platform to experience this natural form of human expression in a completely
transformed manner.
It is widely believed that imagination is more valuable than plain knowledge. It is an individual's
imagination that creates added value to present knowledge, thus helping it to evolve. Participating in drama
teaches individuals to imagine and explore new avenues in life.
They learn to interpret a play and then to enact it in the way they perceive it. They can also add to their
character according to how they interpret and imagine it to be.
Drama activities provide students with an outlet for their talents and abilities. Integrating their daily
study routine with drama classes helps ensure that they feel motivated to come to school on a daily
basis.
Furthermore, the dedication, hard work and passion that they display for their drama activities will
ultimately become a part of their personality. This will help them in their academics as well as other
aspects of their life.
Along with developing a number of skills, drama also helps students create cordial and mutually beneficial
relations with their teachers and seniors. They will no longer be bound by the formal teacher-student
relationship; rather, they will learn how to interact and gain more knowledge from their mentors.
It is for these reasons that drama activities are an ideal choice for a student's extracurricular routine.
Drama has a positive impact on the participant's social, imaginative, creative and interpretative
skills.•
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