Benefits of theatre Arts

Theatre to disinhibit and surpass oneself

Like many other artistic practices, theatre is a disinhibiting activity that contributes to self-fulfillment and self-improvement.

It can play a major role in the personal development of an individual and in the discovery of his potential and inner self.

theatre requires only one material to work with: oneself, which makes it a discipline that is easily accessible to all.

Moreover, taking drama lessons can be an enriching and creative experience that opens doors to new encounters.

Acting is a complete exercise that works the body, the range of the voice, the stage presence and improves the ability to improvise and adapt on stage and in life.

Nevertheless, it is not always easy to embark on this adventure, which sometimes forces us to face our greatest fears and can pose certain constraints.

If you are hesitating to take the plunge, here are a few ideas to help you see things more clearly.

Information to remember

Who should take acting lessons?

Adults, teenagers or children… theatre can be for anyone who wants to become more comfortable, overcome shyness and improve self-esteem.

A mainly collective discipline, it also helps to gain self-confidence and to improve relationships with others.

Theatre lessons are for anyone who wants to learn how to better control their emotions, whether it's for a play or for a real-life situation.

On the other hand, acting is not just for those who want to become actors or comedians. Often, it is a good way to let go, to uninhibit oneself, to work on personal blocks and to regain self-confidence.

What do we learn in theatre?

During an acting class, you learn to improvise, to control your voice and your emotions, to observe and listen or to fill the space… so many exercises and tools to learn to discover yourself as an actor and as an individual.

For the physical, we learn how to move in space, we learn the right gestures and the right posture according to the character to interpret. We also learn to control our breathing and facial expressions.

We also practice our diction in order to improve our speech and elocution.

For the mind, we learn to contain or express emotions. Improvisation work pushes you to get out of your comfort zone.

How much do acting lessons cost?

Usually, acting lessons are held in groups with a limited number of participants.

For group classes for beginners, the cost is between $45 and $80 per month for 2 or 3 hours per week, depending on the structure you choose.

Classes can be offered by municipalities, local associations, specialized schools or theaters themselves.

Other private structures can also offer you annual arrangements where you have to pay between 200 and 400 € per year, depending on the level.

On the other hand, you can also opt for private lessons. For this, count on average between 35 and 50 € per hour.

Private lessons are generally intended for people who are looking for a personalized program or improvement work.

Taking the plunge: the first steps in theatre

The most difficult thing is certainly to take the plunge and decide to enroll. However, you must overcome your fears and shyness and not be afraid of ridicule. As a rule, theatrical schools and institutions offer a trial session. Participating in a trial session can be a good way to get a feel for how the classes work. So… take the plunge and don't be afraid of not being good at the first try. It's by trying, by practicing that you progress. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed by the fear of failure or ridicule. You have to face your doubts and apprehensions in order to move forward and progress. Keep in mind that you have the right to make mistakes and that no one will judge you. The best actors and comedians were also once great beginners.

Why theatre: what can you get out of it?

Letting go, freeing yourself and getting out of your daily routine

In the world of theatre, all situations are possible, all barriers are removed. We discover other worlds, other lives and other situations. You can experience things that you thought you couldn't do.

Taking acting lessons is a good way to detach from your daily life to forget stress and put things in perspective.

The very role of an actor or a comedian is to put himself in the skin of another character, to enter a new world.

What better way to forget your everyday worries than to play the role of a person who is the opposite of your own personality, or to live a crazy situation for a few hours.

Learning to act in a play is an excellent way to free yourself. During the classes, one learns to perform physical, psychic and spiritual work at the same time.

After the sessions, it is even possible to feel a strong boost of energy and serenity.

theatre to find oneself and regain self-confidence

When we try to play a character, we reinvent ourselves, we become someone else. But in an ironic way, we also learn to assert ourselves, to express ourselves and to connect to our inner self. Acting out can help you become more authentic and connect with your inner self.

On the other hand, acting exercises can help to release some of the things that are buried inside of you. These can be feelings or sensations that are sometimes hard to describe or express.

theatre can be a way to discover hidden talents and to enhance our uniqueness.

Theatre to work on your creativity

theatre is undeniably an excellent playful tool to optimize creativity.

Indeed, it is necessary to put all your body in movement to give life to the various characters that you have to incarnate and interpret.

To inhabit a character is to be able to mentally recreate the story of this character. Who is this character? What is his story? What are his fears? his weaknesses? his strengths? It is a work that pushes us to question our own beliefs and that forces us to project them beyond words, clichés and prejudices.

Acting is both action and creation.

The art of acting offers the power to explore new things and new facets of oneself.

It also helps to exercise and stimulate the imagination.

Theatre for empowerment

As the sessions progress, the stage exercises you practice in class will become relevant in real life. When you find yourself confronted with an uncomfortable situation in your daily life, with problems that you find difficult to overcome… acting classes will prove invaluable in helping you to see beyond and free yourself. In theatre, you deal with your fears, conflicts and difficult situations in a safe, non-judgmental environment where you are allowed to make mistakes. You live these situations by taking on a character, so you have a beneficial distance, you become someone else; with the help and guidance of the teacher, it is easier to let go and dare, you become in a way the "co-pilot" of your actions and words.

theatre is a commitment: constraints.

Theatre to accept the gaze of others, and to change one's own gaze

When participating in theatre workshops, one is both an actor and a spectator. This alternation between two worlds and two roles helps to be more attentive, to develop a sense of observation and listening. In the same way, you also learn to make yourself understood. At the beginning, it will not be easy. The weight of the attentive and concentrated looks on oneself will seem very heavy. But this effort is necessary. On the one hand, the actor must know how to receive the reactions sent back by the spectators: laughter, applause, emotions or silences… On the other hand, the individual must accept the glance of the others on him, because this one will contribute to transform the glance which he carries on himself.

A physical effort

During your training, a physical effort will be required.

An actor must work on his or her posture and must always be aware of what the body shows and lets show. Indeed, good body language is essential in theatrical acting to embody a coherent character.

Because of this, theatre can sometimes be physically demanding. It is sometimes necessary to stand for long hours, one can also stand in uncomfortable postures for a while.

Learn your lines

In addition to gestures, theatre is an exercise in memorization. Retaining and learning a dialogue is therefore a common thing in the world of the stage.

It is therefore necessary, outside of class, to find the time to work on and then memorize your text by heart to give life to your character. This is not always a pleasant process, and it is not easy for everyone, but you must give it your best shot.

Having to go on stage

After spending long hours learning your lines and getting your posture right, the time will come when you have to go on stage and present your efforts. The first one will seem like a terrifying experience, but if you can get past the shyness and fear, you'll be amazed at how rewarding it can be.

In short, theatre, in addition to being a fascinating and entertaining spectacle, requires real physical and psychological work.

Nevertheless, this work can be very beneficial, as it can help to correct posture, improve eloquence, free oneself from mental barriers and affirm one's singularity while enriching one's self-confidence and creativity.

During the initiation to this discipline, the actor learns to interpret a role while connecting to his inner self.