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Robert Kirby

People People

Rob Kirby | Founder of People People | Executive Coach | Facilitator | Speaker

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What the Theatre Can Teach Us About Communication 

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At its core, theatre is about communication. Every line delivered, every costume worn, and every movement made all come together to form something that speaks directly to an audience. With each performance comes a new lesson in how we communicate with one another. It turns out that there are many things we can learn from the theatre when it comes to effective communication. Let’s explore a few of them! 

The Power of Non-Verbal Cues 

In the world of theatre, non-verbal cues play an incredibly important role in conveying messages between characters without words ever being spoken. From physicality and posture to facial expressions and hand gestures, non-verbal cues help bring a story to life on stage. In much the same way, non-verbal communication is also key when it comes to getting your point across in real life as well. Without saying a single word, you can convey emotion and understanding through body language alone - which can be especially helpful for those times when words just aren’t enough. 

 The Importance of Listening 

Listening is another aspect of communication that plays an important role in the theatre. After all, if you want to be successful on stage you have to listen and respond accordingly to what other actors are saying or doing at any given moment. The same goes for real life - if you want to effectively communicate with someone else you need to listen actively and not just wait for your turn to talk. Not only will this help create better understanding between two people but it will also show respect for whatever ideas or opinions they may have as well.  

The Art of Storytelling 

Storytelling is a big part of theatre and it’s something that has been used since ancient times as a way of sharing information or lessons with others. By taking complex ideas and breaking them down into more digestible pieces – such as scenes or acts – stories can be used effectively by anyone looking for ways to get their own message across in a meaningful way too! Whether it’s presenting data during an internal meeting or trying to explain why certain changes need to be made within your organization, storytelling is an effective tool for improving communication both on stage as well as off stage too!  


As you can see there are plenty of lessons we can learn from the theatre about how we communicate with one another - especially when it comes to improving our own communication skills in both professional and personal settings alike! From listening actively and paying attention to non-verbal cues all the way up to using storytelling techniques effectively, there are plenty of tips that anyone looking for ways to become better communicators should take away from this idea! So next time you find yourself sitting in an auditorium watching a play, remember that while entertainment may be why you’re there - learning how best to communicate with others is something everyone should strive towards no matter where they go!

 

Author Profile Picture
Robert Kirby

Rob Kirby | Founder of People People | Executive Coach | Facilitator | Speaker

Read more from Robert Kirby
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