The Healing Power of Drama: Stress Relief Through Acting and Performance

Posted byDarrion “Theatrics” NarinePosted inThe Spectacular Views of Darrion NarineTags:, , , ,

I love the work that I do but it can get extremely stressful at times. However, many people often comment on my ability to manage and regulate stress and they often ask me:

“What is the secret to keeping a positive and upbeat attitude?”

I have spent some time pondering this and I have realized that the answer lies somewhere between my meditation and one of my major passions: theatre, acting and performance.

Have you ever felt the thrill of becoming someone else for a while, shedding your everyday worries and stepping into a character’s shoes?



That’s the magic of drama—not just an art form but a surprisingly effective tool for stress relief. Imagine laughing, shouting, and emoting all your stress away. Intrigued? Let’s dive into how drama can be your unexpected ally against stress.

Drama does more than just entertain; it’s a therapeutic tool. Engaging in drama activities triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. It’s not just about the physical movement; the emotional expression involved in acting out different roles provides a form of emotional catharsis, helping to process and release pent-up feelings. Plus, the focus required in drama can act as a form of mindfulness, drawing your attention away from stressors to the present moment of creation and expression. This is particularly one of the major benefits of acting and performance because it can be a form of meditation.

I teach a Learn to Act class and many of the participants have never done drama or engaged in performance before, but the result is always the same; they feel a sense of release and relaxation. Acting classes are an emotional experience because they require people to go beyond their surface level experiences and explore their deepest thoughts, fears, feelings and anxieties. This is a liberating experience and people leave the class feeling a sense of calm and happiness. This is just one example of how drama results in significant stress relief.

Drama Activities for Stress Relief

You don’t need a theater degree to benefit from drama. Here are some simple activities:

-Improvisational Games: These can be as simple as pretending to be different characters in everyday situations, fostering creativity and spontaneity.

-Monologue Performance: Choose a monologue that resonates with you and perform it. It’s a powerful way to experience and express emotions.

-Group Drama Workshops: Collaborating with others in creating a scene or a short play can be immensely relieving, offering a sense of connection and shared purpose.

Incorporating these activities into your daily routine can offer a fun break from the monotony and an effective way to de-stress.

Ready to give it a try? Start by looking for local drama clubs or workshops geared towards beginners. You can join Cindon Production’s Learn to Act Classes. Online communities and virtual workshops can also be a great resource, especially if you’re not quite ready to step onto a physical stage. The key is to remember that no prior experience is necessary; the goal is to have fun and relieve stress.

Drama offers a unique blend of physical activity, emotional expression, and creative exploration, making it a potent tool for stress relief. Whether through improvisation, monologue performance, or group activities, engaging in drama can provide a joyful escape from the pressures of daily life. So, why not let your inner actor out and discover the therapeutic power of drama today?



Call or whatsapp 277-4997 for more info on our Learn to Act Classes or register using this link: https://forms.gle/DHABb1yMPddW8iEc8

Published by Darrion “Theatrics” Narine

Darrion M. Narine was born in Trinidad and Tobago but considers himself to be a global citizen. He is a social development specialist and a performing artiste. He is currently the programme manager of the Archdiocese’s Ministry for Migrants, working alongside UN agencies and grassroots organizations in Trinidad and Tobago to cater towards the educational, psychosocial, health and physiological needs of over 30,000 migrants and refugees. Darrion was also the chair of the CHOGM CYF taskforce responsible for executing the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Kigali, Rwanda in June 2022. He managed a 21-member taskforce made up of people from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The taskforce was responsible for the planning, programme development and execution of the CHOGM CYF 2022 which hosted over 500 delegate from across the globe. His work in these fields have allowed him to develop his resource mobilization skills since he has been able to raise additional money for the support of several projects. which he manages. Additionally, Darrion was the former Vice Chairperson for Inclusion and Engagement on the Commonwealth Youth Council, which serves 1.2 billion youth across the globe. His work focused on youth development, global socio-economic development and global social policy development. During his tenure he was able to launch and co-partner on several programmes. He co-founded the RACE campaign which allowed for healthy conversations around race and race relations. He was also a key founding director of the Youth Voice Matters campaign which promoted the increase in youth political participation. He holds a BSc in Psychology (Special) with a minor in Theatre Arts and a MA in Cultural Studies from the University of the West Indies (U.W.I). He is the former President of the U.W.I Guild of Students 2018/19, where he represented the students at all major university meetings and external advocacy movements and is a National Youth Award recipient for Leadership from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. In addition to this, he was a board member on the Global Coalition for Youth Employment (under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and National Service) and has served as a board member on the Chancellor’s Commission on Governance for the University of the West Indies reviewing the University’s governance structures and making recommendations for overall improvement of its systems and operations. Darrion is also a cultural advocate, poet , writer and performer. He has taught techniques in performance, public speaking drama and networking to hundreds of young people across Trinidad and Tobago. He has also done skills development training at various schools across the country and region. Furthermore, he is an actor with DCShell Theatre, a singer, a poet and a writer. He has a collection of music and poetry and has performed across the globe. He believes strongly that education is liberation, and the key to a progressive population.

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