The flourishing classroom: lessons from improvisational theater

Abstract

Purpose

This essay articulates the vision of a flourishing classroom, which arguably is the ultimate goal of a positive approach to management education. By demonstrating how improvisational theater is the epitome of a flourishing ensemble, this essay proposes that there are some lessons educators can glean from improvisational theater in order to achieve a flourishing classroom. The applications, benefits and challenges of applying improvisational theater in the classroom are also discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

This essay articulates the vision of a flourishing classroom, which arguably is the ultimate goal of a positive approach to management education. By demonstrating how improvisational theater is the epitome of a flourishing ensemble, this essay proposes that there are some lessons educators can glean from improvisational theater in order to achieve a flourishing classroom. The applications, benefits and challenges of applying improvisational theater in the classroom are also discussed.

Findings

Improvisational theatre can shed some light on teaching pedagogies within the classroom. Building trust in the classroom community, framing failure as learning opportunities, and promoting the improvisational mindset can enable students to learn better.

Originality/value

This essay articulates the vision of a flourishing management classroom, which arguably is the ultimate goal of a positive approach to management education. By demonstrating how improvisational theater is the epitome of a flourishing ensemble, this essay proposes that there are some lessons management educators can glean from improvisational theater in order to achieve a flourishing management classroom. The applications, benefits and challenges of applying improvisational theater in the classroom are also discussed.

Citation

Wang, J. (2024), "The flourishing classroom: lessons from improvisational theater", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-08-2023-0342