Positive Effects of Physical Theater on Body Schema Among College Students
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The purpose of this phenomenological, qualitative, temporal study was to examine the effects of a semester-long physical theater class on body schema (body posture, awareness, confidence, expression) among eight college students. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted twice to qualitatively collect the study’s data. Two themes emerged from the qualitative/phenomenological data analysis, showcasing how the participants’ body schema improved. Based on the first theme, the students emphasized the importance of physical theater in improving body posture, awareness, confidence and comfort during physical theater and their daily functions. Practically learning the body schema of their character was key to excellence in performance. According to the second theme, the participants learned how to express emotions using their whole body and not only their face. They also managed to switch emotions naturally and corporeally. Experts in Kinesiology and Performing Arts should promote embodied, holistic, playful, and physically demanding movement programs for improved body schema.
Source: Quest
Authors: Maria Kosma, Nick Erickson, Ashlynn Gremillion
Institutions: Louisiana State University, Southeastern Louisiana University
Language: English
Subfield: Visual Arts and Performing Arts
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Louisiana State University
OpenAlex ID: W4394909024