The stage of life: how theater reveals who we are

          Discover how theater can become a mirror of the soul and a tool for self-awareness, emotion, and transformation.
Have you ever considered that you might be playing a role without even realizing it? Theater isn't confined to the stage—it lives in every gesture, decision, and silence of everyday life. In this article, explore how the art of acting can unveil deep truths about who you are and who you can become.

It’s hard to find an art form as profoundly human as theater. Since the earliest civilizations, acting out scenes from life was a way to understand reality, symbolize beliefs, educate, and move others. In the 21st century, theater remains relevant because it touches on a central point of existence: our identity. Neuroscience studies conducted by Stanford University show that when a person plays a character, they activate brain regions linked to empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. In other words, theater literally teaches us to think and feel better.

This is precisely where the concept of the “Theater of the Self” comes in. Each of us plays daily roles: son, mother, leader, friend, student. Theater helps us recognize these layers of performance, and through this awareness, we become more genuine and authentic. The MAT methodology (Mindset, Action, and Theater), created by Antônio Carlos dos Santos, proposes exactly this deep dive into the self. By combining behavioral neuroscience, theatrical practice, and critical reflection, this method has been successfully applied in schools, companies, and even therapy sessions.

Inspiring Story

Renata, a marketing executive who struggled with communication blocks and self-esteem issues, participated in a workshop series based on the MAT method. By acting out scenes from her own life and improvising alternative paths, she uncovered deep-seated emotional blocks and discovered new ways of expressing herself. Today, Renata leads with confidence and ease.

But theater is not only a tool for adults. Children and teenagers also greatly benefit from this language. The Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater (TBMB), also developed by Antônio Carlos dos Santos, is a methodology that blends playfulness, body expression, and symbolic conflict resolution. In practical applications in schools in Ceará and São Paulo, children with attention deficit, autism, and low self-esteem achieved significant progress in communication, empathy, and academic performance.

Practical Tip

You can try a simple theater technique called “emotional mirror.” Stand in front of a mirror and act out an emotion (anger, joy, fear, sadness) using your body and voice. Then reflect: What changed within you? What memory came up? This practice, used in ThM (Theater Movement), is scientifically proven to stimulate emotional neuroplasticity.

Theater also brings invisible aspects to the surface: what we repress, deny, or hide. British playwright Peter Brook once said, “The stage does not accept lies.” True acting requires presence. That’s why theater is often seen as a form of active meditation. Moreover, studies from Oxford University show that regular improvisational practices directly reduce stress and enhance creativity.

Motivational Quote:

“The stage is magnificent, on it you can be everything and everyone. And in the end, comes the great discovery: among all, the most important role is to be yourself" – Antônio Carlos dos Santos.

Beyond therapy, education, and business, theater is also a powerful tool for social resistance and transformation. In his dozens of published plays, Antônio Carlos dos Santos addresses themes such as racism, corruption, spirituality, childhood, and cultural identity. His works now form the foundation of social and educational projects across Brazil. By putting urgent issues on stage, he invites us to take a collective, ethical, and poetic look at life.

Curiosity

In a recent study from Yale University, it was shown that attending a play impacts emotions and values more profoundly than watching a film. The live experience, the presence, the shared silences and laughter create a deep bond between actors and audience.

For all these reasons, theater is more than art: it is science, education, and a mirror. On the stage of life, we are all actors and spectators. By embracing this awareness, we can reinterpret our pain, expand our potential, and live more authentically. After all, as Shakespeare said: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” But it’s up to us to choose our roles with truth, courage, and love.

Access the books by Antônio Carlos dos Santos on amazon.com or amazon.com.br

Click here.

https://www.amazon.com/author/antoniosantos

To learn more, click here.

To learn more, click here.

To learn more, click here.