Why Drama?
There is something magical about Drama. It gently coaxes tentative children out of their shell and gives those labelled as “too much” the freedom to make some noise.
It allows students who struggle academically to reveal their eloquent, imaginative selves, and offers energetic children relief from the constraints of desks and chairs as they express themselves through movement and physical storytelling.
Ensemble work brings out future leaders and thoughtful collaborators, while improvisation uncovers young people who can think confidently on their feet.
Children are inherently creative and curious. Drama provides the perfect platform to nurture these qualities.
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Drama Tree courses are designed to build confidence, creativity and collaboration.
The programs are fun, fast-paced and interactive: we learn by doing. Programs are carefully designed and written to complement the NSW Drama and Literacy syllabuses.
Meet Sheli
Sheli Gold is an experienced Drama Specialist with 20 years in the classroom. She holds a Bachelor of Education (Honours), a Master of Arts in Creative Writing, and an ATCL Associate Diploma in Performance (Distinction) from Trinity College London. Her work spans public, independent and international schools, teaching students from Pre-K to Year 12.
Sheli has held Drama teaching roles at MLC, Abbotsleigh, Knox Grammar and currently teaches Drama at The Hills Grammar School. She lectured in Drama Education at the Australian Catholic University, mentoring pre-service teachers in Drama as a powerful tool for learning.
Sheli founded Drama Tree in 2020 to bring high-quality Drama education to her local community. As a Berowra resident and mum to two enthusiastic young performers, she is committed to creating a warm, nurturing space where children can grow as imaginative thinkers and confident performers.
Our philosophy: The FOUR Cs
At Drama Tree, we believe that the skills acquired through Drama can empower children with the tools needed to succeed in the 21st century.
Creativity
Original thinking, imagination, expressive problem-solving.
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Creativity is not just about painting or playing an instrument. It is the ability to imagine possibilities and approach problems from fresh angles. At Drama Tree, children devise scenes, build characters and invent solutions on the spot, nurturing genuine imaginative thinking. With autonomy to explore ideas through voice, movement and storytelling, students learn that creativity is a mindset: the confidence to experiment, take risks and express original ideas.
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Collaboration
Working together, supporting others, and building ideas.
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Collaboration is at the heart of every Drama Tree lesson. Children work in pairs, groups and full ensembles, learning how to lead, listen, compromise and support one another. They practise sharing ideas, negotiating decisions, resolving disagreements and contributing to a common goal. By experiencing different roles, including leader, listener, supporter and creator, students discover the joy and power of working as a team. These collaborative skills set them up for success well beyond the stage.
Critical Thinking
Questioning, analysing and making considered choices.
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Drama naturally builds critical thinkers by encouraging children to ask why, explore multiple perspectives and consider how problems can be solved in different ways.
Through role-play and storytelling, students step into someone else’s shoes, developing empathy and a deeper understanding of motivation and human behaviour. Guided by open-ended challenges with no single right answer, children learn to analyse, evaluate and create thoughtful responses that transfer to every area of life.
Communication
Clear speaking, active listening, shared understanding.
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Perhaps your child is chatty at home but quieter in public. They may mumble, rush their words or find it hard to express ideas clearly. Drama Tree helps children build confident, effective verbal communication - learning to speak with clarity, expression and purpose. We explore articulation, projection, tone, pace, pausing and storytelling skills so children learn how to use their voice powerfully, listen attentively and communicate in ways that help them connect with others.
