Students participating in the XXIV edition of the
Master Scientists in Business.
Project curated by Maria Giulia Marini
Story: The theater is a place where the minds of writers and directors come together to revive past worlds and create new ones that come to life through the actors’ acting. Their voices resonate on stage, their gestures amaze, their emotions vibrate in the air and merge with those of the audience, which is invited on an introspective journey from scene to scene. The roots of theater are deep and ancient, and its therapeutic potential has been known since the time of Aristotle, one of the most influential philosophers in history. In his Poetics, he defined theater as having the ability to release trauma, discomfort and internal conflict, and to purify emotions through a process called “catharsis.”
Therapy: Unfortunately, its therapeutic potential has been lost over the years and is only recently being rediscovered through theater therapy. This fusion of psychology and theater was introduced in Vienna in the 1920s by Romanian psychiatrist Jacob Levi Moreno, under the name psychodrama, which emerged as a new healing muse for anxiety, stress and daily discomforts. Later also appeared Robert Landy’s (1999) therapeutic model of drama therapy, which aims to promote mindfulness, personal growth and emotional well-being.
Benefits and evidence: Drama therapy is a journey into the human psyche and allows people to learn about themselves, explore their emotions, and transform painful experiences into stories of strength and resilience. Several studies have documented how theater practices have a beneficial impact on people’s mental health, even in patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer ‘s disease and epilepsy.
Limitations: However, the lack of appreciation of theater as therapy and the lack of funding to further investigate the effects of this art has led to theabsence of solid scientific evidence, which limits the acceptance of theater therapy in some medical and academic settings.
New applications: Given the benefits known to date, theater therapy is gaining a foothold in hospitals, businesses and community settings. We consider that introducing this practice to unusual places, such as parks, museums or streets, or even shelters could make this art more accessible and engaging while being used as a powerful tool for welcoming, inclusiveness, integration and even raising awareness of crucial social issues.
By respecting and listening to ourselves and others, working together toward a common goal, through play and imagination, everyone can embark on this adventure of self-discovery and healing, proving that sometimes the stage is the best place to start a new chapter in our personal story.