Theater
build skills through theater
Creatosphere works with different theater methodologies, including improv theater, forum theater, legislative theater and puppet theater to inspire creativity, develope critical and creative problem solving, as well as improve public speaking and presentational skills. Some of our workshops focus on developing spontaneity, others are more focused on the social and activist side of theater.
Did you know? 93% of people think that the arts, especially theatre, are essential to a well-rounded education, according to a 2005 Harris Poll. Students with theatre performance training or experience scored 34 points higher in arithmetic and 65 points higher in verbal sections than non-arts students. A series of studies on the arts and education revealed a consistent causal link between performing and the improvement of a variety of verbal skills, including especially significant increases in story recall and understanding of written material.
In addition to building social and communication skills overall, involvement in theater workshops and performance has been shown to improve self-esteem and teamwork skills.
What is the activist side of theater?
Some theater activities, such as legislative and forum theater, are designed to promote civic engagement and participation among youth and community members through legislative theater. This is a type of theater created by Brazilian practitioner Augusto Boal and encourages dialogue, reflection, and action on social issues, directly fostering a culture of engagement and participation.
Through theater, we directly address and promote common values such as democracy, participation, and active citizenship. Forum theater is a type of participatory method that uses roleplaying and improvisation to engage community members in identifying solutions to real life problems, and then translating them into changes. This method is now used worldwide for social and political activism, conflict resolution, community building, therapy, and government legislation.
Theater for creativity and spontaneity
Of course, theater is also critical for building creativity, teamwork and problem-solving! We often work with improv theater exercises, as well as puppetry to inspire spontaneity and creative thinking in people that come to our workshops.
Many people who have studied improv have noted that the guiding principles of improv are useful, not just on stage, but in everyday life.
Well, you are about to start the greatest improvisation of all. With no script. No idea what’s going to happen, often with people and places you have never seen before. And you are not in control. So say “yes.” And if you’re lucky, you’ll find people who will say “yes” back.
Stephen Colbert
This is my inspiration for this theme and it is something I recently discovered as a mindset. I found new logic for my entire life through caring for another and how much hope that brings to an individual when they have to do things to make another creature’s life better and not their own. Which of course makes everyone in the equation happy.