Honoring Bill Kenwright

The RYTC team was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and patron Bill Kenwright CBE. 

Bill was a partner, father, grandfather, great friend and patron. He will be missed by many and this is testament to his giving nature and impact on the theatre and creative arts space. The team wanted to honour his legacy and influence with this memorial page.

The RYTC’s Artistic Director started her career in Bill Kenwright’s work family. Bill told her to go and open her own youth theatre, because ‘being creative is so important for our kids!’ His mantra… “go and do it”!! And if “it” is right – then you can’t fail.”

To name only a fraction of the awards and achievements Bill received are the notable honour of a CBE in 2002, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Theatrical Management Association in 2008, and an honourary BBC Radio 2 special episode of Friday Night in 2017 broadcast from the London Palladium itself. Bill was nominated for a London Theatre Critics’ Award for West Side Story and a Tony Award for Blood Brothers.

This multi-award winning career saw Bill’s West End productions constantly in notable venues such as the RSC, Dominion, Palladium, Apollo and many others. Ensuring his legacy as one of the UK’s most successful theatre producers.

Bill embodied the spirit of empowering young people through creative opportunities. His legacy will be felt and continued through the many groups and communities he supported with the mission of providing opportunities to local young people. Bill made his community and generations of people richer through experiences such as finding like minds, getting creative and fostering confidence in young people.

The RYTC in memory of Bill will continue to “go and do it” as his legacy will continue to empower our team, kids and encourage everyone to be creative.

Our thoughts are with Bill’s family at this difficult time and also with the many people we know he impacted for the better.

Drama therapy is an effective tool for promoting emotional healing, personal growth, and social development in children. One of the core components of drama therapy is the use of plays, which play an essential role in helping children express their feelings, work through difficult emotions, and develop empathy and social skills.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the role of plays in drama therapy for kids and how they can benefit from this approach.

The Role of Plays in Drama Therapy for Kids

Plays play a critical role in drama therapy for kids. In a drama therapy session, children may be asked to act out a scene from a play or create their own play based on a particular theme or topic. The process of creating and performing a play can help children explore complex emotions and develop empathy for others.

For example, a child who is struggling with anger issues may be asked to create a play in which they play the role of a character who is angry. Through the process of creating the play and performing it, the child can explore the root causes of their anger, develop strategies for managing their emotions, and gain a deeper understanding of how their behavior affects others.

In addition to exploring emotions, plays can also help children develop social skills such as communication, cooperation, and teamwork. In a play, children must work together to create a cohesive narrative and bring their characters to life. This process requires active listening, compromise, and the ability to take on different perspectives.

Plays can also be used to help children develop problem-solving skills. In a play, children may be asked to come up with creative solutions to challenges that arise within the narrative. This process can help children develop critical thinking skills and learn how to approach problems from different angles.

Benefits of Drama Therapy with Plays for Kids

The benefits of drama therapy with plays for kids are numerous. Some of the key benefits include:

1. Improved emotional regulation

By exploring difficult emotions through dramatic play, children can develop strategies for managing their emotions and expressing themselves in healthy ways.

2. Increased empath

Through the process of creating and performing a play, children can develop empathy for others and learn how to see situations from different perspectives.

3. Enhanced communication skills

Plays require active listening, clear communication, and the ability to express oneself effectively. These skills can be applied to other areas of a child’s life, such as school or home.

4. Improved social skills

Through the process of creating a play with others, children can develop teamwork, cooperation, and conflict resolution skills.

5. Increased self-confidence

By creating and performing a play, children can develop a sense of accomplishment and pride in their abilities.

Conclusion

Plays play an essential role in drama therapy for kids. Through the process of creating and performing a play, children can explore complex emotions, develop empathy and social skills, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others. If your child is struggling with emotional or social issues, consider exploring drama therapy as a way to support their growth and development.