When is Acting Useful in Everyday Life?

At Jigsaw, we know that acting and drama skills have all sorts of applications beyond the stage or screen.

While some might take acting classes with an eye to appearing on the West End, others want to boost their confidence, be creative or simply make some new friends.

So when and how is acting useful in everyday life?

Body movement

“Body language is a very powerful tool. We had body language before we had speech, and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body, not the words.”- Deborah Bull

Actors have to think about their body language and what messages they are conveying through how they walk, stand, and sit. This awareness is useful throughout life, whether it’s in giving presentations and talks or meeting new people and making good first impressions.

Acting is also a fun physical activity that relieves stress and tension, which is important as our modern lifestyle can be quite sedentary.

Understanding emotions

“Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.” – Meryl Streep

Actors also need to have an awareness and control of emotions, both theirs and those of others. They’re connecting with people, putting themselves into someone else’s shoes, whether that’s an audience, a fellow performer, or a character they’re playing.

It’s no coincidence that actors often become heavily involved in charity and philanthropy. Acting creates empathy and can bridge the gap between us and other people.

Similarly, acting is a safe and productive way to explore how to understand and express your own emotions in a healthy way, a good way of developing emotional maturity.

Working and communicating together

“Creating a relationship is the heart of acting. It is basic. It is essential.” – Michael Shurtleff

Teamwork and collaboration are intrinsic parts of acting, whether it’s working in a group, with a scene partner, or even just working on a monologue with a director.

Actors have to learn to rely on other people, to work together and support each other, and to not be afraid to make suggestions and try out new ways of doing things.

Developing good communication and listening skills are key to this. These skills are also very important for forming a connection with the audience.

The Mind

“The actor has to develop his body. The actor has to work on his voice. But the most important thing the actor has to work on is his mind.” – Stella Adler

The “what if” questions, blue-sky thinking, thinking outside the box. Whatever you like to call it, imagination is an integral part of living a happy and fulfilled life.

Acting inspires creativity and stimulates the mind, while at the same time learning lines and lyrics develops concentration and memory skills.

Acting can be a part of everyone’s life. Acting can connect the world inside the mind with the world outside, in the process strengthening our understanding of both.

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page.