Skylar ’27 is leading theatre classes at a summer camp for children with type 1 diabetes, using acting games and creative expression to help campers build confidence, communication skills, and emotional awareness, tools that support both performance and diabetes management.
This summer a few of my friends and I are hosting acting lessons for children with type 1 diabetes at the Barton Center for Diabetes Education Summer Camp. Statistically, children with T1D are more likely to develop serious mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders in comparison to their peers. Many forms of artistic expression, including theatre, can help develop self-confidence in youth and encourage them to be true to themselves. Over the course of the first few weeks, we played many improvisation games that allowed the campers to hone their creativity and take risks. We used props such as hats, sunglasses, astronaut helmets, and princess wands to allow the characters they invented to come alive. These games also allowed them to develop comfortable speaking and making bold character choices in front of larger audiences. The campers loved playing a game called zip, zap, zop, which includes utilizing skills of focus, concentration, and memory. Many of the campers also chose to put their skills to use in the camp-wide talent show! When asked about her experience in acting class, Harper, (Camper, age 10 ) described it as “a chance to have fun with other kids, try something new, and take on a challenge.” Through Harper’s testimony and watching the kids grow and learn by attending my acting lessons, I learned how closely the skills of theatre and acting relate to the responsibilities of diabetes management in everyday life. Actors and actresses are required to be highly aware of the emotions of the characters they play, similarly to how kids with T1D are required to pay close attention to how they feel in order to be aware of high and low blood sugars. Additionally, a camper named Olive (Age 8) highlighted how in acting it is important to communicate clearly and effectively, which is similar to how children with T1D need to utilize strong communication skills when communicating diabetes-related issues to adults. In 1 week I will continue to provide theatre classes at camp with a continued goal of encouraging creativity, confidence, and comfort!
