How Theatre Helps Students Learn: The Medea Sum Project

Theatre doesn’t just entertain; in education, it becomes a powerful tool for learning. The European Medea Sum project, part of the Erasmus+ 2024–2026 programme, demonstrates how performance can transform classical texts into accessible, engaging, and inclusive experiences for all students.

Why Does Theatre Work in the Classroom? 

Unlike traditional approaches that rely heavily on reading and listening, theatre promotes active participation and emotional engagement. Research highlights that theatre-based education moves students from being passive recipients of knowledge to active participants who generate meaning through performance and reflection (Fernandez & Kullu, 2019; Moreno, 2016). 

By stepping into characters’ roles, debating their choices, or re-enacting complex situations, learners experience both the intellectual and emotional dimensions of texts. This dual engagement fosters deeper comprehension, empathy, and critical thinking; skills essential in today’s classrooms (Europass Teachers Academy, 2023).

Medea Sum: Learning Through Performance

The Medea Sum project applies these principles through an interactive investigation of the Medea myth. Students reconstruct her trial, analyse testimonies from other mythological figures, and ultimately reach a verdict. This approach draws on the methods of Theatre in Education (TIE), which uses participatory performance to develop creativity, collaboration, and critical inquiry (Jackson & Vine, 2013). 

Far from being a simple performance, the process involves collective research, debate, and role-play. Students become authors, actors, and judges, building confidence in oral expression while strengthening argumentation and teamwork. 

Inclusive and Interdisciplinary Teaching 

One of the project’s main objectives is to democratise access to classical culture, often perceived as elitist. In France, for example, only 15% of students from modest backgrounds study Latin, compared to 39% of their wealthier peers (Gasq & Touahir, 2015). Through theatre, Medea Sum makes ancient myths relevant by connecting them to contemporary themes such as justice, gender, marginalisation, and power. 

The project also adopts inclusive methods such as surveys, role-play, and forum theatre to help students reflect on their own experiences. Such approaches are particularly effective for learners with different needs, including those who may struggle in traditional, text-heavy learning environments (Europass Teachers Academy, 2023; Goble et al., n.d.). 

Learning Differently: Debate, Creativity, and Expression 

In workshops held in France, Belgium, and Italy, students blend investigation, discussion, and performance. This integration transforms the study of ancient literature into a dynamic, learner-centred process. The final performances not only showcase artistic achievement but also highlight how theatre nurtures social and emotional learning, helping students develop confidence, self-belief, and interpersonal skills (Goble et al., n.d.). 

Supporting All Learning Styles 

Theatre bridges the gap between academic learning and playful engagement. Some students learn best by doing, others by reading, listening, or speaking. Theatre offers a multimodal approach that caters to this diversity, ensuring that every learner can find a way to connect meaningfully with the content (Moreno, 2016). 

By inviting students to embody characters, explore dilemmas, and co-create meaning, theatre encourages them to think, feel, and talk about challenging ideas. The Medea Sum project shows that performance is not simply an addition to education: it is a transformative method for teaching and learning. 

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