Theatre in Education: Encouraging the Creative Process

Why am I drawn to the theatre more than a cinema hall? you may ask. Because my presence in the former, matters. I have always believed that theatre is more than just lights, camera, and action. It is a form of art that requires its performers to dig deep into their emotions and bring out the complexities of human experiences, in the presence of those watching. To find ways to empathize and make others understand those around them, to surpass the walls of gender, race, nationality, religion, socio-economic background and whatever else separates the human race. This brought me to understand the pedagogy of using drama in the classroom.

Drama in education has become an important component for educators and students around the world, as it not only teaches them the ins and outs of theatre but also provides them with creative skills that can be applied to all aspects of their lives.

What is Drama in Education?

Drama in education involves the use of drama activities, games, and techniques in classrooms to promote creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking among students. These activities range from improvisation and role-playing to writing and producing plays. It provides a platform for students to explore their imagination and come up with ideas that may otherwise be unexplored in a conventional classroom set up, where they are usually expected to listen to the teacher and learn the facts by heart to reproduce in their examination. One of the major benefits of Drama in education is that it encourages students to develop empathy and understanding towards one another. Through the use of role-play, students learn how to put themselves in someone else’s shoes and understand their perspective. This helps them to better comprehend and appreciate the nuances of different cultures and experiences.

Moreover, Drama in education enhances communication and social skills. Theatre activities require participants to work together and communicate effectively to achieve their goals. Students learn how to interact with one another, express their opinions and listen carefully to others. They become more confident in expressing themselves and develop better verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Drama in education also fosters creativity and innovation- essential qualities for success in today’s world. Theatre activities such as improvisation and storytelling challenge students to tap into their creativity and come up with unique and original ideas. This skill of thinking outside the box can be applied to any field in life, be it writing, art or science.

The works of Augusto Boal and Patsy Rodenburg fascinate me greatly, and their techniques are something I seek to use in my practice very often. Their methods provide an outlet for self-expression and emotional release. Theatre activities allow students to explore their emotions safely and express them through artistic means. In today’s world, where mental health is becoming an increasingly important issue, Drama in education provides a way for students to cope with their emotions, establish positive relationships and maintain a positive mental state. Drama in education is not only limited to performing arts; it can enhance learning in other subjects too. For example, I remember after attending my training programme, a history teacher brought to life by recreating a significant event using drama techniques. This made the lesson more engaging and memorable for students, making them more likely to retain the information. A primary teacher found ways to get her students to pay attention using simple tools she learnt with me in the workshop. “It makes learning so easy for them!”, she said.

In my 18 years of teaching experience, 10 of which have been with drama-based learning, I have not only become a better person myself but seen my students transform into something they could have never expected to be. At the risk of failing, and not having a ‘perfect’ showcase, the shy child or someone with a language barrier is always offered a main role, the disorganized one is made in-charge of stage management, the one who struggles to remember lines is made to help others with dialogues, and the most risqué of all – the boys are encouraged to audition and play female characters if they want to, and vice versa. Drama in education is an excellent tool for making this world a better place. Enhancing student’s creativity, confidence, and communication skills. It allows them to explore their imagination and express themselves artistically. It not only provides a platform for students to explore various aspects of their lives, making it an essential component of holistic education, but also instill the ability to perceive, understand, and respect diversity, thereby creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.