Theatre Arts - A crucial class to education

Modern educational systems call for the education of the 'whole person' encouraging teachers to not only to pass on knowledge, but also the so-called soft skills. A class that I have grown with was Theatre Arts. Yet, theatre is often considered of lesser importance as the sciences, for example. This is reflected in the IB Diplomar. In the end, students taking the IB can choose to take a secon science class instead of an art-related subject such as theatre. This does not work the other way around.

However, in this essay I would like to illustrate the reasons why Theatre Arts is the single most important subject for me as a whole person.

Firstly, Theatre Arts as an IB subject is actually very academic. In the program, students acquire theoretical and practical knowledge of theatrical traditions from a diverse range of cultures, further text interpretation, engage in technical elements such as lighting and  critically analyze performances. Moreover, one of the assessments is a research essay, in which I analyzed the stagecraft used for performance of Ibsen´s realistic play “Hedda Gabler”. Since research resources were scarce, I had to search for primary sources. Eventually, I was in e-mail contact with theatre professors, I interviewed a professional stage designer and collected material from performances.

Besides researching and acting, directing is also an integral part of the course. Through directing a first-year play and conducting an own workshop or directing an individual project, students learn those heavily sought after 'soft-skills'. Firstly, choosing an independent project requires initiative, while organizing different sessions requires planning abilities. Besides these, one fosteres leadership skills such as appreciation and understanding for teamwork and empathy for team-mates. For example, In the course of my directed rehearsals, one of the students did not live up to the standards of the others, so I had to help the person individually, in order to promote motivation within that person as well as team spirit. 

Other skills that the student explores in the theatre class are presentation skills and greater self confidence on- and offstage. Dealing with stress is much easier for me, as well, since I practice regularly self-expression and self-awareness, mainly derived from studying Stanislavski´s method of acting. The ability to monitor emotions and to voice them can actually prevent stress, in my opinion. A further important aspect of the theatre course is to self-evaluate as one writes a journal recording important advances. This can definitely help to monitor one's progress - in theatre, but also in other subjects. What can be further transferred to other subjects is the sense for resilience, patience and hard work as numerous strenuous rehearsals are crucial for performances. As the famous German rowing coach, Karl Adam, said: "The structure of achievement is similar in all aspects of life."

What shall not be forgotten is the good portion of creativity we have learnt. Not to mention the sense of humor as we promote daily, the expression of thoughts and actively practice improvisation and comedy such as the theatre tradition Commedia dell´Arte.

My theatre course has taught me much more than just knowledge, and it has reminded me that one should always be open for different challenges and follow interests.

Thank you, Steve.