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Discover how the art of performance can unlock emotional intelligence,
resilience, and creativity — both on stage and in everyday life.
Have you ever wondered
why some performances move us so deeply? The journey of building a character
goes far beyond memorizing lines — it’s a powerful dive into human emotions,
self-discovery, and new possibilities for living.
Since the dawn of
humanity, theater has mirrored our deepest hopes, fears, and dreams. From
ancient Greek tragedies to modern-day performances, acting taps into something
profoundly human: the need to understand ourselves and each other. Today,
neuroscience supports what great actors have known for centuries — embodying a
character activates brain regions tied to empathy, creativity, and emotional
flexibility (Gallese et al., 2020, University of Parma).
Inspiring
Story:
🎭 Daniel Day-Lewis, a three-time Oscar winner, famously stays in character
even off-set. While filming "Lincoln," he maintained President
Lincoln’s accent and mannerisms throughout daily life, inspiring his castmates
and delivering a performance that moved millions.
Creating a character is,
at its core, a psychological journey. It’s not merely about memorization — it’s
about building an inner world so authentic that it breathes life into every
gesture and word. Studies from Yale School of Drama reveal that actors who
deeply integrate emotional and cognitive aspects of their characters
consistently deliver more memorable and impactful performances. This approach
resonates closely with the MAT method (Mindset, Action, and Theater) developed
by Professor Antônio Carlos dos Santos, where thought, movement, and emotion
intertwine to create genuine presence.
Character work also
opens doors to personal transformation. Many actors report profound changes in
their own perspectives after portraying certain roles. This phenomenon, known
as “identity plasticity,” reflects the brain’s ability to integrate new
emotional experiences, a concept explored in research at Stanford University.
When we live out another person’s story, we expand our own.
Practical
Tip:
🌟 Try creating a small “character” for yourself today — someone a little
braver, calmer, or more optimistic. Move through your daily tasks with this new
energy. This exercise, inspired by the ThM (Theater Movement) methodology,
nurtures emotional flexibility and broadens your personal horizons.
Theater also teaches
one of life's most important lessons: how to embrace mistakes. On stage,
forgetting a line or missing a cue isn’t a failure — it’s an opportunity for
creativity. The Teatro de Bonecos Mané Beiçudo (TBMB), a playful puppet theater
method created by Antônio Carlos dos Santos, uses symbolic characters to help
individuals work through imperfections with humor and resilience. Research from
New York University underscores that developing tolerance for error is a key
predictor of both professional and personal success.
Motivational
Quote:
📝 “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to
dance in the rain.” — Vivian Greene
Stepping into another
person’s shoes builds empathy in powerful ways. Neuroscience research from the
University of London shows that actors, through training, develop heightened
empathy skills compared to the general population. Living theater offers a path
not just for entertainment, but for deep human connection — a vital skill in
today’s world.
Fun Fact:
🎭 When actors prepare for roles, their brains engage regions tied not only
to language and memory but also to self-reflection and social imagination —
illustrating why acting is such a powerful tool for self-development (Gallese
et al., 2020).
For the general
public, learning the principles of acting can be a wonderful strategy for life:
learning to observe better, listen carefully, build new possibilities for
response and act with greater presence. In this sense, the MAT and ThM methods,
when applied off stage, transform meetings, family conversations and even
moments of introspection into true stages of personal growth. This is why
Antônio Carlos dos Santos defends “that theater is an artistic activity that
should be appropriated by all people, it should be like the air we breathe”.
Practical
Tip:
🎭 At your next meeting or gathering, practice the "state of
presence", an exercise taken from the book MAT, by Santos: breathe deeply
in the style of 'square breathing', observe the emotions that arise, and
consciously choose how to position yourself — as if you were entering the stage
of life, with intention and clarity.
Connecting with a
character is, therefore, connecting with yourself and with others. Antônio
Carlos' theater teaches us to look beyond social masks, to explore the richness
of human emotions and to constantly reinvent ourselves. In a world that demands
adaptability and empathy like never before, the psychology of acting becomes a
true art of living.
Inspiring
Story:
🌟 Viola Davis, Academy Award-winning actress, often shares how acting
saved her life, giving her a voice and self-worth that she hadn’t found
elsewhere. “The stage was my first home,” she says — a powerful reminder that
through art, we can rebuild ourselves.
Ultimately,
understanding acting as a form of living teaches us a profound truth: whether
or not we ever set foot on a professional stage, we are all performers in the
theater of life. Every choice, every gesture, every word — they’re all part of
a story we are constantly writing. Why not make it the most authentic, vibrant
story possible?
Access the books by Antônio Carlos dos Santos on amazon.com or amazon.com.br
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