As you’ve probably noticed, the team at Melody Lane has already begun talking about next year’s showcase!  Even though it’s fall, our showcase planning is well underway. It’s this time of year, with the buzz of showcase just beginning, that parents sometimes ask us, “Why should my child participate?  What’s beneficial about it?”

1. This is an excellent question—and a significant one!  The showcase is an investment in your child’s performing arts education, and it’s a pretty important commitment.  At their core, performer, drama, music, and musical theatre are all apart of the performing arts, which is part of the reason why we want every child to experience the thrill of being onstage. 
   

We believe there are three core reasons at the heart of why performing is so valuable, even for our youngest performers:

2. Progress

Throughout the season, your child is making awesome progress in class.  And when we say “awesome progress” we don’t necessarily mean the obvious, like learning fancy ballet steps (although that is pretty awesome too!).  What we mean is that your super-shy child bursts with confidence, or your child who said “I can’t” now says “I can,” or your teen who hid her smile now shines with every practice.  Seeing this kind of progress in class is great, but having it showcased on stage is priceless! Performing allows your child to demonstrate their progress—both with the steps AND with their self-esteem.

3. Potential

The showcase is an excellent time to see what’s possible if your child sticks with the performing arts for the long-term.  From the audience, you’re able to see the potential the performing arts holds as you watch the variety of styles and age groups.  Your child, too, will be inspired by seeing the different routines, and might think to themselves, “I bet I can do that too!” the performing arts offer the promise of so much growth if a young child perseveres and works hard; the showcase performance brings this potential into the spotlight!

4. Passion

Performing holds an excitement like some children have never experienced before.  Nerves can transform in an instant as the performers light up with joy when stepping foot on stage; they are swept away by the magic of entertaining the crowd.  The sense of accomplishment they feel has them hooked! It’s this growing passion—not perfect technique or memory—that makes performing so special.

Progress, potential, passion … these are the foundation of what performance is all about!  At Melody Lane, we love pretty much any opportunity to chat about these benefits, so if you have any questions about having your child perform in our showcase, don’t hesitate to ask!