About the Drama Workshop
The Drama Workshop is a unique drama school based in the leafy western suburbs of Brisbane. Classes operate after school in both Kenmore and Brookfield.
The Drama Workshop was set up to create a positive, engaging environment not only for children who are naturally outgoing and enjoy performing but also for reserved individuals who need some extra encouragement coming out of their shells! Many students describe The Drama Workshop as their happy place, where they can truly be themselves and feel empowered through role-play of different characters.
We explore a variety of themes such as self actualisation, the natural environment, the spirit of adventure and current social issues that face children and teenagers today.
About the teacher
My name is Prue Cooper-White and I run The Drama Workshop. Since completing my Bachelor of Arts (Drama) and Bachelor of Education at QUT, I have been lucky enough to work as a drama teacher for almost 20 years.
During this time I have taught in both primary and high schools. Over a period of 13 years I was employed by other drama schools in both Melbourne and Brisbane. I also taught drama at an international school in Italy.
However 5 years ago I pursued a dream to create my own local Brisbane drama school that was aligned with my own personal values of kindness and acceptance of self and others. For me, drama is about finding joy in the make believe, the story telling, the limitless world of imagination and then sharing that with an audience. It’s about learning to claim the space and be comfortable in your own skin. I wanted to create a place where we celebrated the individual and also worked as a team, where children could find their unique voice and express their creativity in a fun, safe and supportive environment. Hence The Drama Workshop was born!
I have made a conscious decision to not expand my drama school but to be the sole teacher and cap class numbers at a manageable size. This ensures that I can really get to know the children and families who attend and understand how to best support them.
There are many benefits of doing drama
It helps young people to think outside the box and to be more confident going into unfamiliar situations. This confidence can then be applied to school, career and life.
A positive self image is so important for a successful, happy existence and in drama we work on helpful self talk and breathing techniques to develop a strong sense of self belief. Acting and drama games allow students to express a range of emotions and encourage them to understand and deal with similar feelings they may be experiencing in real life. Exploring these emotions can be a healthy release.
Students also develop life skills in the following areas: Empathy, problem solving, creativity, communication, cooperation, memory and spacial awareness.