drama education

Why Theater Education Matters: Developing Key Life Skills

Today, I want to blog about why theater education matters:  developing key life skills.  Recently, I read a Facebook post by a theater teacher who was frantic for help.  She taught drama in middle school.  Her sixth grade classes were a reasonable size, but that’s where the good news end.

More Typical Scenario Than You Would Think

Her seventh and eighth grade classes had been mixed up, so she no longer had an intermediate (7th) and experienced class (8th). Get this-when she inquired for the reasons for this cluster, her questions weren’t addressed. Unfortunately, she was informed that she would have to do the best she could. She should sharpen up her classroom management skills.   And if that’s not enough–her classes were 50 to 60 students in number.  What?!?

As I consider this enormous problem for her, I’m struck with a thought.  This is one time that it is more important to teach key life skills to her gigantic and potentially unsafe classes than to actually study theater. My suggestion?  Focus on life skills through her lessons and though they will still pertaining to theater, the students will feel less threatened.

Why Theater Education Matters: Developing Key Life Skills

Theater education is often seen as an extracurricular activity.  Some people consider it a hobby for those interested in acting or the arts. However, the benefits of theater education extend far beyond the stage. Engaging in theater can play a crucial role in developing essential life skills. These are skills which are tantamount to success in one’s personal and professional life. Here’s a closer look at why theater education should be an integral part of every student’s learning experience.

1. Enhancing Communication Skills

One of the most apparent benefits of theater education is the improvement of communication skills. Through acting, students learn to express themselves clearly and confidently. They practice articulation, projection, and the importance of non-verbal cues. These skills are not only vital for performing on stage but are also crucial in everyday interactions and professional environments.

By memorizing lines from plays or musicals, student absorb a variety of sentences and phrasing.  If they are like me, it carries over into your every day speech. Furthermore, you naturally know how to use a particular phrase or word  without even having to think about it.  You communicate with ease and confidence.  My suggestion:  teach students how to memorize a short paragraph from a play.  

2. Fostering Teamwork and Collaboration

Theater is inherently a collaborative art form. From rehearsals to performances, students must work closely with their peers, directors, and crew members. This collaboration teaches them how to work effectively in a team. A cast must listen to others’ ideas, and contribute constructively.

I can always tell if students have been directed by a knowledgeable teacher who understands the value of everyone’s talents and abilities.  The entire cast and crew carries about them a sense of ownership.  They help one another and are willing to sacrifice their ego for the sake of the production.   These teamwork skills are highly sought after in almost every career field. My suggestion:  Teach set design, having students work with a buddy.  

3. Developing Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

By stepping into different characters’ shoes, students gain a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and emotions. This experience fosters empathy. It allows them to relate better to others’ feelings and experiences. Additionally, theater education helps students develop emotional intelligence by encouraging them to recognize and manage their own emotions, as well as understand and influence the emotions of others.

As we are aware, our students are suffering from bullying not only in the classroom and hallways, but on-line as well.  Students who have portrayed villains or down-trodden characters know what that feels like.  I do not have any proof to expound here. However, my personal experiences with this issue lead me to believe that your arts students are the least likely students to intimidate anyone. Check out this post-–Drama Student, I Recognize You a Mile Away

Arts students are usually immensely clever and generally have differing viewpoints from the study body as a whole.  Consequently, often time they suffer being left out of social circles.  Theater gives them a “home” at school.  My suggestion? Write a monologue speaking as the animal.  (You won’t believe how well this works for students.)

Looking for a bundle of units concerning acting styles?  Check out this one:  Acting Styles of Stanislawski, Adler, Strasberg and Hagen. 

4. Building Confidence and Self-Esteem

Performing in front of an audience can be a daunting task, but it is also an excellent confidence booster. Theater education provides a safe and supportive environment for students to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. Over time, this process builds self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. Accordingly, confident individuals are more likely to take on leadership roles and tackle challenges head-on.

As adults, we continue to grapple with taking risks in our lives.  Some people are so afraid of risk, they become stagnant and don’t grow. I’ve witnessed this in my extended family and it saddens my heart.  Their spouse, on the other hand, who studied theater and dealt with self esteem issues as a young person continues to challenge herself in her profession.

I know, without a doubt, it is because she learned from being on stage and facing risks, that she knows how to advocate for herself. My suggestion?   Give them a pre-performance and post performance exit slip and ask them to be candid about themselves. 

5. Encouraging Creativity and Problem-Solving

Theater is a creative endeavor that requires thinking outside the box. For example, whether it’s coming up with an innovative set design or interpreting a script in a unique way, students are constantly challenged to be creative. This creative thinking extends to problem-solving skills, as students must navigate unexpected issues that arise during rehearsals and performances. Check out this blog post if you need reasons to include drama integration in your core classes: How to Excite Students With Drama Integration

Through trial and error, students build their problem-solving skills and learn that making mistakes doesn’t mean failure.  Mistakes signify that the particular issue wasn’t solved or completed. That is all, period. My suggestion?  Teach with  my Famous Theater Artists Growth Mindset Unit. 

6. Strengthening Academic Performance

Research has shown that students involved in theater tend to perform better academically. Theater education enhances literacy and reading comprehension through script analysis and character study. Also, it improves memory and concentration, which are beneficial across all subjects. Moreover, the discipline and time management skills learned in theater can translate to better study habits and academic success.

In the beginning, novices will try to beat the system and paraphrase their lines.  Hence, they never truly learn them. By the time they are in high school, they’ve convinced themselves that, “I can’t learn lines.” I know this is not true.  Plus, I know what they need is a system that works.

Once I demonstrate to them the various methods for line memorization, they try again.  When they have success using one of those methods, their entire attitude changes. But it still takes self discipline!  If you want more information for line memorization, read Three Ways to Memorize Lines for a Play or Musical

7. Preparing for Future Careers

While not all students will pursue careers in theater, the skills gained from theater education are transferable to numerous professions. Additionally, theater education equips students with a versatile skill set that can enhance their career prospects and success.

Here are a few careers where having theater skills are useful:

Public Relations Specialist–Skills Used: Communication, presentation, creativity, adaptability.
How Theater Helps: Understanding audience engagement and crafting compelling narratives.

Event Planner–Skills Used: Organization, time management, creativity, problem-solving.
How Theater Helps: Managing events and performances teaches you how to coordinate logistics and handle unexpected issues.

Marketing Professional–Skills Used: Creativity, communication, storytelling, audience analysis.
How Theater Helps: Developing marketing campaigns requires the same creative storytelling skills used in theater.

Educator/Teacher–Skills Used: Communication, presentation, adaptability, creativity.
How Theater Helps: Theater teaches how to engage and hold the attention of an audience, which is essential in the classroom.

Future Careers Utilizing Theater Skills

Human Resources Manager–Skills Used: Communication, conflict resolution, empathy, teamwork.
How Theater Helps: Theater experiences foster a deep understanding of human behavior and group dynamics.

Sales Professional–Skills Used: Persuasion, communication, presentation, relationship building.
How Theater Helps: Performing helps build confidence and the ability to convey messages effectively.

Lawyer–Skills Used: Argumentation, public speaking, critical thinking, research.
How Theater Helps: Theater provides practice in presenting arguments persuasively and thinking on one’s feet.

Psychologist/Counselor– Skills Used: Empathy, communication, analysis, problem-solving.
How Theater Helps: Understanding characters and motivations in theater aids in understanding and helping real people.

Other Career Examples

Journalist–Skills Used: Research, storytelling, communication, adaptability.
How Theater Helps: Writing and interpreting scripts in theater helps journalists craft compelling stories.

Film and Television Production–Skills Used: Creativity, technical skills, teamwork, problem-solving.
How Theater Helps: The technical and creative aspects of theater production are directly applicable to film and television.

Corporate Trainer–Skills Used: Communication, presentation, adaptability, teaching.
How Theater Helps: Theater training provides techniques for engaging an audience and conveying information effectively.

Nonprofit Manager–Skills Used: Communication, organization, fundraising, storytelling.
How Theater Helps: Effective storytelling and presentation skills are crucial for fundraising and advocacy work.

Entrepreneur–Skills Used: Creativity, risk-taking, problem-solving, adaptability.
How Theater Helps: The improvisational nature of theater helps entrepreneurs navigate the uncertainties of starting and running a business.

See?  The list for skills learned in a theater class is immense.  If you are a theater teacher and must defend the reasons for keeping your class, quote from this list! 

Empowering Students with Creativity, Confidence, and Collaboration

Theater education is much more than learning to act; it’s a comprehensive learning experience that develops critical life skills. By incorporating theater into the curriculum, educators can provide students with invaluable tools. Most importantly, these tools that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Whether a student dreams of a career on Broadway or in a corporate office, the lessons learned in theater education will help them shine in any role they choose to play. Looking for a teacher guidebook to teach you how to boost student engagement?  Pick up We’re Live! Radio Theater #101 on Amazon.com

Plus, I’m a featured author in OneClassroomOver magazine this month.  Check it out here.

Have you ever defended the need for your class or department? I’d love to learn about it.  Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com