Undergraduate Business Schools Should Require Theatre to Develop Soft Skills and to Better Employees

Abstract

Rather than discussing how theatre has been recognized in a current business setting to improve soft skills after employment, this paper will build on this recognition to address how theatre can be used to foster those skills prior to employment by providing undergraduate business students with theatrical education specializing in soft skills development. Although all aspects of theatre can help with developing much needed work skills in some way, this paper will focus specifically on actor training. Acting will be the focus due to the unique person to person interactions and skills developed in these classes. By helping students develop these tools via a required class in acting before entering the work-force, students will be more successful and emotionally intelligent individuals. Businesses can save money and time with soft skill training by employing students who not only have business degrees and business experience, but those who have theatre experience as well.