Molly doesn't look like the Greek warrior Achilles. At 10, she's shorter and slighter than many girls in her class. But that didn't stop her from playing Achilles in Homer's The Iliad last spring. On stage, her sweet voice and disposition vanished, and she became ruthless, fearless, and strong. "It's fun to be mean and loud and use spears," Molly says. "It's something girls don't usually do. It was hard at first, but I really surprised myself."
When society tells your daughter to be docile and "feminine," theater can give her an outlet to express her individuality. It's a chance for her to be heard, respected, and appreciated. Playing a character on stage also lets a girl see the world from ...