Core Skill in focus: Creativity
What is creativity?
Creativity comes in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes it looks like painting, coloring, or sewing. Other times creativity manifests in building, writing, or acting. Creativity is even useful in math, science, and technology. Creativity, regardless of your medium, is a chance to bring your ideas to life. When we take a moment to be creative, we are taking abstract concepts inside our mind and actively working to bring them into the world.
How do we use it in theatre?
Creativity is at the very core of theatre. In every element of a production there are creative teams. These different categories of creativity could be set design, costume design, lighting design, directing, choreographing, vocal coaching, play writing, and performing. All of these crafts require the artist to envision something abstract and ephemeral and make it real and tangible.
Why is it important in life?
In day to day life, sometimes we get stuck in routines. If we take a beat and find a chance to be creative, we can reset and refresh. That is why creativity is viewed as an outlet for many people. It is so important to find times to let your mind try new things, finish projects you’ve always wanted to begin, and not be afraid to make mistakes. Using our brain creatively (either for the task at hand, or as a mental break) allows us to tap into new ways of thinking and problem solving.
How can I bring this skill home?
Bringing creativity into the home is a great way to remind your kiddos (and the adults in the house) that creativity is important at any age! Here are some suggestions:
Tots and Pre-K: Old school arts and crafts time as a family is a great way to foster some creativity in our little ones. Finding the time to sit down together and create something, even just coloring a picture or molding playdough, gets the whole family’s creative juices flowing. Want an extra challenge? Pick an item (dry macaroni, pipe cleaners, leaves, etc) and make a family portrait out of it!
Elementary School: The next time there’s a birthday or special event coming up, have your child hand-make a card. Encourage them to consider what the recipient enjoys and incorporate that in a new and different way.
Middle School: It’s time for a game night… but there’s a twist. Grab a deck of cards and, as a family, create some rules for a brand new game. You may discover that you have to iterate to get it just right. That’s OK! It’s all part of the creative process.
High School: Take your high schooler back to the basics to tap into their creativity: crafting. Since it’s winter time, we’re doing some winter specific crafting. Make as many paper snowflakes as you can as a family, then decorate your home with them for the winter. If you want to level up the creative thinking skills, see if everyone can design a specific snowflake and then use the fold-and-cut method to create it.
