How a CEIVA Theater Workshop Helped Young Students Build Confidence, Creativity, and Belonging
Some children need more than a lesson.
They need a chance to be seen.
At I AM ART Camp at CEIVA, the Super Powers Theater Workshop gave six young students exactly that: a playful, imaginative space where they could discover that their gifts matter and can help others.
Led by Grace Christian Academy students Anna Joy Nicodemus and Ella O’Dowd, with support from Guatemalan volunteer Pablo Hernandez, the four-day workshop served first and second-grade students through storytelling, movement, collaboration, and creative play.
Every Child Has a Gift
Inspired by The Big Book of Super Powers, the workshop centered on a simple but powerful idea: every person has strengths that can be used for good.
Each child created a superhero character and identified a personal “superpower.” Some imagined powers connected to protecting animals, dancing, or playing fútbol. Others named gifts that reflected kindness, courage, and a spirit of helping others.
As the week unfolded, the students designed masks, made props, explored character movement, and practiced role-play together.
Confidence in a Small Group
The workshop was small, but that was part of its strength. In a smaller group, students had room to speak up, try new things, and build confidence without getting lost in the crowd.
The environment made it easier for each child to contribute, experiment, and be encouraged.
A Shared Story of Restoration
By the end of the week, the students had created and performed their own original superhero story.
That final performance was more than a fun ending. It was the visible result of something deeper: students learning that their individual gifts become even more powerful when used together. Each child’s “superpower” became part of a shared story of problem-solving, teamwork, and restoration.
At I AM ART, creativity helps students discover that their gifts matter and that those gifts belong in the story.
The impact extended beyond the younger students. For Anna Joy and Ella, the workshop became an opportunity to lead with creativity, patience, and care. For Pablo, it was a chance to help bridge language and culture so the experience felt welcoming and connected.
This is one of the beautiful dynamics of I AM ART: transformation often happens on both sides of the workshop.
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Experiences like this help children recognize their value, their voice, and the gifts God has placed within them.