Abstract:

The integration of theatre techniques into the classroom represents a novel approach to promoting soft skills among university students in technical and scientific subjects. This paper examines the effectiveness of drama in promoting important skills such as communication, teamwork, empathy, and adaptability in this population. By immersing students in experiential learning scenarios, theatre techniques provide a dynamic platform for personal and professional development, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. This paper advocates the inclusion of theatre in university projects as a means of equipping students with the holistic skills set necessary for success in their future careers and beyond.

The participants were final-year students of the “Food Science and Technology” degree at the “School of Experimental Sciences and Technology” of the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in the academic year 2023-2024. Students, in groups of 5 or 6 members, had to choose a topic related to “Innovation in Packaging”, research information based on scientific articles, commercial products, websites, and marketing campaigns, write a script taking into account the writing approach, coherent narrative, character definition, scene conception and dialogue formulation, and finally perform a play in front of their classmates in which they implement the innovation in packaging in a scenario. Before and after the activity, students answered a survey about how they feel about public speaking, the elements they consider when speaking in front of an audience (voice, movement, body and space), their experience with theater, and their expectations and thoughts about the activity.

Before the activity, only 13% of students said they felt confident or very confident about public speaking; the rest said they felt insecure when facing an audience. Most students only paid attention to their voice and the content they were expressing when speaking in public, forgetting about the space, their body language and their movements. After the activity, 57% of students reported feeling confident or very confident and that they incorporated theatrical techniques such as space, body language and vocal inflexion to convey their message with purpose. Students rated the experience an 8 out of 10, 83% said they would recommend using theatre projects in the future.

Theatre techniques are key for students to learn how to use their bodies effectively to communicate and move purposefully and confidently on stage. Spatial awareness gives students the ability to work in a specific space and interact with other actors. Content is also crucial as students can learn to analyze and understand characters, plot and themes in a play. In addition, they can develop a sense of empathy and understanding for others, which can be beneficial in their personal and professional lives.

In summary, incorporating theatre techniques into university education can be a valuable tool for developing communication skills, creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. Movement, body, space and content are key elements for success in theatre and in life. Theatrical techniques can be an excellent tool in university teaching, encouraging students’ active participation and enabling them to develop important skills such as effective communication, creativity, and empathy.

Keywords:

Theatre techniques, pedagogical innovations, soft skills, public speaking.