Theatre as a Mirror to Society: Reflections on a Life in Theatre Education

Theatre has always been more than just a profession for me—it’s been a way of life, a means to connect with the world, and a platform to help others discover themselves. Over the past 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand how theatre transforms lives, and in many ways, how it has continually reshaped my own.

The Moment Theatre Stopped Being Just Performance

I remember vividly the day I realized theatre wasn’t just about performance or entertainment. It was during one of my international workshops, a quiet afternoon in Freiburg, where I was working with a group of students on a devised theatre piece exploring anxiety. One of the students, who had struggled to speak openly throughout the workshop, suddenly found her voice in the character she created. It was more than just a breakthrough in acting—it was an emotional release, a personal transformation.

Moments like these have come time and again throughout my career. Whether in the bustling streets of Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival or in intimate classrooms in Malta, I’ve witnessed how theatre becomes a space for individuals to confront their fears, express their truths, and imagine new possibilities. As an educator, this is the essence of my work—to create that space, where students feel empowered to explore and grow.

Lessons from the World Stage

Teaching and directing across the globe, in places like India, Tunisia, and Russia, has taught me a profound lesson: theatre is a universal language, but the stories it tells are deeply local. Each place brings its own rhythms, its own silences, and its own stories. The world stage isn’t just about bringing different cultures together; it’s about listening to them, learning from them, and reflecting those voices in our work.

Take Kandor (Candour), for example, a production I co-devised and directed. It was one of the most challenging yet rewarding projects I’ve been a part of. The play dealt with themes of anxiety and mental health, at a time when such topics were often brushed aside. Touring with it, from Malta to Kochi, made me realize how deeply these human experiences resonated across borders. Anxiety, fear, love—these emotions know no cultural bounds, and theatre allowed us to talk about them in ways no lecture or textbook ever could.

The Theatre Educator’s Challenge: Teaching More Than Acting

As a theatre educator, my role goes beyond teaching acting techniques or staging productions. It’s about guiding students through a journey of self-discovery. Many of my students come into the classroom shy, hesitant to take risks. Over time, I’ve seen them grow not just as performers, but as confident, empathetic individuals ready to engage with the world in meaningful ways.

One of my greatest joys is seeing a student step onto the stage for the first time—nervous, unsure—and then witnessing that transformation, where they begin to own the space, their voice, and their story. It’s not just about acting; it’s about empowerment. And isn’t that what education is about?

Reflections on the Future of Theatre Education

As I look to the future, I find myself reflecting on how theatre can continue to shape not just individual lives, but entire communities. In a world that is becoming increasingly polarized, theatre offers a unique space for dialogue, for empathy, and for change. It allows us to see ourselves in others, to reflect on our own actions, and to imagine a world beyond our immediate experiences.

My hope is to continue fostering these connections, both in my work and through new collaborations. I believe theatre can be a powerful tool for social change, and as educators, we have a responsibility to use it to build bridges and promote understanding.

A Final Thought

Theatre has given me so much—more than I could have ever imagined when I first stepped into this world. It’s challenged me, taught me, and, above all, connected me to incredible people across the globe. As I continue this journey, my goal remains the same: to use theatre as a force for good, a space for reflection, and a tool for empowerment.

If you’re passionate about theatre and education, I’d love to connect. Let’s keep the conversation going and explore how we can continue to make a difference, one performance at a time.