In a first for the Central Queensland University Mackay Education faculty, drama students are entering local classrooms.

Education drama tutor Andrea Orr believed the workshops were ideal confidence boosting exercises for both university and primary students.

“Drama is a form of higher order thinking and if children have a range of these skills they can transfer this information to a variety of media in other areas of study,” she said. “For example, the students can use their basic knowledge of drama and turn it into a higher creative thought when presenting assignments.

“We are using interactive-type theatre so the children are written into the play and are directly involved in the performance.

Children from Mackay West, Victoria Park and Pinnacle State Schools are involved in three workshops, culminating in a performance later in the day.

The workshops allow 23 Education and Conservatorium of Music students to develop their teaching skills.

Photo: Mackay West State School student William Ballard and Kierra Vincent (front L-R) take part in a drama workshop being organised by CQU student Liz Robinson Matthew Baisden and Niki Power.