As part of my Wellness 175 course, I devote a classroom period to what I call “Theatre Day.” This learning activity is designed to foster student imagination and creativity through classroom role play. It is based loosely on the concept of Readers Theater, which is a pedagogical strategy used by teachers. The purpose of the activity is for students to reinforce important concepts learned throughout the course by cooperating in groups to perform skits.
Shown below are students performing various harm-reduction skits such as STIs prevention and binge drinking prevention, as well as addiction treatment and stress management counseling. Each skit takes place in the classroom setting. Students meet in advance to form groups in order to create scripts and obtain props.
This learning activity helps to sharpen students’ “people skills” and may assist them in putting into practice lessons learned from the course by being able to intervene with specific skills from having a new awareness.
In my role as the professor, I provide the students with focus and direction during the group process of selecting a situation and developing a sense of shared goals. I also try to build enthusiasm for the importance of role playing as a learning strategy by making the activity fun so that everyone can become involved. Generally, Theatre Day is highly praised and enjoyed by students.
