5 Signs Your Kid Might Be a Theatre Kid (And Why That’s Awesome!)

centrestagekids
Nov 5
4 min read

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is destined for the bright lights of the stage, the answer might already be showing up in your living room… or your kitchen… or the grocery store aisle!

Definition of a drama kid: A drama kid is the child who treats your living room like Broadway, tells stories with full emotional commitment, has a favourite costume for every mood, and can turn brushing their teeth into a dramatic scene of epic proportions. They don’t just play—they perform.

As someone who lives in the land of dramatic storytelling, big emotions, and spontaneous musical numbers, I can confidently tell you: there are some very clear signs your little performer has that theatre sparkle.

So grab your front-row seat (and maybe some popcorn).

Here are 5 signs your kid might just be a theatre kid:

1. Every Room Is a Stage

You know how some kids speak in normal indoor voices? Yeah… not these ones.

Your theatre kid makes entrances. They don’t just walk into the kitchen—they glide in with purpose. They deliver their breakfast request like it’s a crucial Shakespeare monologue. And if they trip? Don’t worry. They turn it into a dramatic scene. (The recovery is performance art.)

They LOVE to tell stories! When I was a kid I would chat with anyone who listen to share with them a song, a dance, a story.... ANYTHING.

If you have a little one wanting to tell you a story, let them (even if you are busy)

2. Costumes. So. Many. Costumes.

Your child’s natural habitat? The dress-up bin.They don’t need a full costume to transform — oh no. They can turn a scarf, two hair elastics, and a laundry basket into a fully realized character with emotional depth, a dramatic backstory, motivations, relationships, and possibly their own theme song.

Give them a random hat, and suddenly they’re:

A pirate searching for lost treasure
A queen ruling the living room kingdom
A rockstar announcing their world tour (which is happening right now in your kitchen)
A detective solving a mystery involving missing snacks (suspects: everyone)

For theatre kids, Halloween isn’t once a year—it’s a lifestyle.

Have your kiddo design their own costume. Get them to brainstorm what a certain character would dress like and see if you have something in the closet you can make into something now.

3. They Break into Song at Completely Random Times

Weather update: 0% chance of silence. If they’re humming through chores, singing while brushing their teeth, or suddenly performing a heartfelt ballad during a family walk… congratulations. You’ve got a theatre kid.

Bonus sign: they insist you listen to every song they make up.

Even the 14-minute ones.

When I was younger I even made a number of fake singing groups with my friends where we would write our "songs" and perform them.

We held a number of living room concerts. (Hey it was the 80's).

4. Big Feelings Are the Default

Theatre kids feel deeply. When they’re happy? They soar. When they’re sad? They melt. When they’re frustrated? Oh, there will be pacing.

These big emotions are actually a superpower—because theatre gives them a safe space to express, process, and share them in beautiful ways.

This was a hard lesson with my oldest. He always felt his feelings really "BIG".

He would take on others emotions as well. There were lots of times we had to slow down to ask what is happening or talk him through taking big breathes.

Big emotions are not bad, they can be hard for others to understand.

5. They Love to Play Pretend—With Storylines

Lots of kids like imaginative play… but theatre kids take it to the next level.

Your child doesn't just play pirate—they build a pirate world. They cast their siblings, stuffed animals, dog, and possibly you in supporting roles. They assign accents. They develop plot arcs.

And you better not mess up your role. They will notice.

As a kid I had a whole Little People village and I would play for hours (and I mean hours) playing with them. They all had their own back story and different voices. They all had relationships and the story lines were epic!