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St Thomas University considers theater a key factor in student’s education

Ariana Calvachi , , , , , ,

Shakespeare is back on the campus of STU. 30 drama students are presenting his classic “As You Like It” at the Black Box Theater.

Theater isn’t just play-acting, it´s educational and builds relationships.

Beauty and elegance come in handy when acting. “Acting is very interesting, to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and see the world through a character’s eyes,” said Ilkay Silk, Drama Director at St. Thomas

Every year students perform a different play to raise awareness about the importance of expression. They bring together people through connecting them with emotions on stage. All of them have one thing in common: caring about the unique experience they share through a connection formed between the audience and the actors.

Rehearsals have been taking place since September 2019. Every week it takes actors up to four hours to run over lines and get comfortable on stage. Before any work starts, the students make sure to warm up their bodies as well as their voices. The students need to learn their dialogue but also understand what Shakespeare is implying in every line so they can perform it. Director Silk gives them feedback on how to manage their body language and their voice so everyone in the audience will understand.

Students write down feedback and keywords in their scripts for it be easier to practice at home and analyzing the dialogues.

“What I like most about theater is that I can project my feelings and express myself however I want with my character in different places in stage. I like the flexibility that this art gives you,” said Reinaldo Cascante, one of the students and performers at STU

The importance of theater goes beyond props and costumes; it’s about how the community gathers together to see a true expression of art.

(According to) many of the students at St. Thomas and the audience who had the chance to see the play agree that acting makes individuals express themselves in a more sensitive environment where they feel confident and can release stress from their bodies.

Performing is more than tradition for St. Thomas, is a lifestyle in which every individual get to develop their talents and interpret life in a unique perspective.