The term wellbeing seems to have become something of a buzzword over the past decade, with wellness centres springing up all over the world. Yet, wellbeing is now being recognised as a vital part of the holistic human experience. Following a growing body of scientific evidence linking wellbeing to participation in the arts, research in this area has significantly increased in recent years, as highlighted in the WHO Health Evidence Network synthesis report 67 (2019).

However, the connection between psychophysical health and the performing arts has been documented for thousands of years across different cultures. In Poetics, the Greek philosopher Aristotle asserted the link between attending theatre and psychosocial wellbeing over 2,300 years ago. Traditional Chinese medicine acknowledged the connection between music and the harmony of body and mind. In India, the power of music and dance to promote mental and physical health was recognised in the Natyashastra, an ancient Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts. In medieval Europe, Gregorian chant was known to induce spiritual and emotional tranquillity.

Today, music, drama and dance are widely used in arts therapy to support people in different aspects of their healing processes. They are also used within communities to address issues and themes that are important to their members.

So, what is it about participating in the performing arts that can improve our lives and our relationships with others? Whereas sculptors or painters use tools and materials other than themselves, actors, dancers and singers are themselves the instruments, materials and outcomes of the artistic process. Beyond style and genre, performance involves organising oneself and one’s relationship with the environment according to a particular aesthetic.

Of course, the arts cannot claim to substitute specific medical or psychological interventions where these are needed. However, with a clear understanding of the connections between the physical, mental and ecological aspects of life, the performing arts can contribute to a person’s sense of wellbeing – even when medical intervention reaches its limits in the face of serious illness.

While all forms of arts therapy require facilitators with specific professional qualifications and sound scientific preparation, independent participation in the performing arts has also been found to significantly enhance general wellbeing. At a conference on Theatre and Cognitive Neuroscience, French performance scholar Jean-Marie Pradier observed: “Art in itself is not therapy, but the lack of art is pathogenic.” Artistic expression allows us to process life experiences in ways that can support wellbeing.

Engaging in music, theatre and dance has been shown to reduce symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety. Participation in music and dance activities has also been associated with improved physiological markers such as optimal heart rate, stronger immune function, and lower cortisol levels.

Performing arts training and creative practice tend to engage the whole person, involving memory, attention, problem-solving and decision-making – thereby benefiting key cognitive functions. According to the late Brazilian theatre director Augusto Boal, theatre was born when human beings began to observe themselves. In that observation lies the potential of theatre for both psychological and social wellbeing.

Psychologically, performing in front of others in a safe environment can help individuals address issues of self-esteem and develop the courage to express their identities authentically. Socially, theatre has long served as a space for examining how we relate to one another. It becomes a kind of laboratory in which we use imagination and action to explore themes such as empowerment and oppression, acceptance and rejection. Facilitators in such spaces have a responsibility to create a healthy context that prioritises safety and trust.

These performative explorations of human relationships not only allow for the study of social dynamics but also foster community, encourage social connection, and offer participants a sense of belonging. Importantly, the benefits of these experiences can be accessed not only by performers but also by audience members. For those not ready to take the stage, simply attending performances can offer opportunities for self-reflection and a shared sense of connection.

We must emphasise that the performing arts are sophisticated instruments that engage with the complexity of people’s lives. Like all sophisticated instruments, they must be used with care and understanding to yield the personal and social benefits described above. When used without adequate knowledge or with ill intent, they may cause harm. This is why the application of such practices demands life-long learning, ongoing training, and an ethical commitment to those involved or affected by the work.

The performing arts programmes at MCAST’s Institute for the Creative Arts are built upon these core principles, with full awareness of the profound benefits that theatre, dance and music can have on the wellbeing of both individuals and society at large.