Schools across the nation have shifted into a STEM-based education, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. However, schools who base their curriculum in STEM are missing an incredibly vital part of any well-rounded students education — Art. The benefits of emphasizing STEAM education are endless. In activities such as theatre, choir, and public speaking, students are exposed to a variety of soft skills which they may not have an opportunity to develop in their typical STEM classes. Google recently released a study done with their own employees that examined this gap. They focused on making "super teams" that focused on productivity and innovation. The study showed that Google employees with humanity degrees usually performed better than employees with strictly STEM degrees.
Don't get me wrong, I understand math is important. But there are some things that you really can't learn from memorizing formulas.
Here are 7 things I learned during my four years of being a high school theatre dork that I couldn't get from my time in a computer lab.
1. Accountability.
In theatre, there's really no hiding from your mistakes. Maybe you didn't learn your lines or missed a cue. Whatever it is, at the end of the day it all falls onto your shoulders. Theatre taught me to be accountable for my actions and to admit when I was wrong or that I had failed.
2. Failure.
I've failed. A lot. But, instead of beating myself up over the fails, theatre taught me to learn from my failures. I can easily turn a negative experience into a positive one because of my theatre training. It's all about learning from and fixing your mistakes rather than brooding and giving up.
3. Empathy.
Theatre is about telling stories. It's about understanding people different from yourself and, quite literally, taking a walk in their shoes. From "The Diary of Anne Frank" to "The Color Purple" to "Radium Girls," students have the opportunity to explore people and stories that are completely removed from their own situations. These experiences foster empathy and acceptance.
4. Teamwork.
Sometimes theatre requires working with different types of people. You have to learn to compromise but still be effective. There's also very little room for drama in the theatre, especially with such a tight schedule and sometimes a close deadline. Sounds kind of like the real world, doesn't it?
5. Problem-solving.
Once when I was on a run crew, the stage manager didn't call for a black out so that we could remove two giant set pieces for the next scene. I immediately sprung into action and decided what to do next. Theatre forces you to think on your feet and be present in the moment. It presents certain challenges that require creativity and great problem solving skills.
6. Dedication.
Theatre requires endless hours of work to reach the final result. Students become dedicated to their programs and to their craft. I learned the importance of dedication to a project and perseverance to reach my goals.
7. Respect.
Designers and actors don't last long if they have poor attitudes or are unwilling to collaborate. Theatre teaches students that it is important to respect authority. It also teaches the importance of respecting your co-workers skills and abilities, and to trust in their work as much as you trust in your own.
