Q&A: Stacie Boord

Stacie Boord was a featured speaker at the ExperienceSTEM Conference about how creativity connects to STEM learning.  Boord is the community relations director and general manager of Shadowbox Live, a Columbus-based theater troupe that performs year-round with a 60-plus member ensemble.  Shadowbox has worked with Metro Early College High School and Linden-McKinley STEM Academy on theater productions that give students a chance to use performing arts as way to learn important life skills.   She recently spoke with STEMscape about what science students can gain from theater experiences.

How do theater and drama help students succeed in science and technology?

Technology doesn’t appear out of thin air.  Discoveries don’t just fall into our laps.  They begin with someone’s imagination. Artistic sensibility allows a more global way of thinking and attacking problems. It necessarily avoids linear process and therefore allows for much greater creativity. It’s the ability to dream, to believe it and to actualize it. That’s great science, and it’s also great art.

Courage was the theme for the co-production between Shadowbox and Metro.  Is courage just as important in STEM as in theater?

Absolutely.  Without the courage to approach everything with 100 percent commitment one will never know whether or not the approach works. That philosophy applies to arts, science, and life.

What common learning experiences do you think are shared by the arts and the sciences?

The experience of observation, assessment, and experimentation.  With theatre many times you are asked to portray a character outside your own personal experiences.  If a 15-year-old student is asked to play an 80-year-old woman they have no common ground. They must actively observe so they can depict the character accurately.  They then must assess their observations.  Do they move slowly? If so, why?  Does it hurt when they move?  Where does it hurt?  Perhaps they broke their hip.  If so, what happens when they take a step?  Do they limp?  Do they need a walker?  The answers inform their choices as an actor.

What is the most important lesson that Metro students learn from being part of a Shadowbox production?

To have great success you must master your fear of failure.  If you’re not failing 10 percent of the time you’re not trying hard enough.  Unfortunately our toughest lessons are learned through our failures.  It’s easy for us in our 30’s, 40’s and 50’s to understand that.  However when these students embrace that philosophy in their late teens they are so much better prepared to pursue their life’s dreams! As long as you are approaching everything with 100 percent commitment, we then understand that failure is not necessarily a bad thing. It is an indicator of what is not working and places us one step closer to the actual solution.

Is it important for students to push themselves to break out of their comfort zones to learn about things they normally wouldn't think they are good at?

Definitely.  Many times those who explore new territory realize they “do” have aptitude in that area.  Even if you don’t “master” a certain artistic discipline, furthering yourself in that area will positively affect your overall artistic performance.

Do you think other schools can use this idea to students' benefit?

Absolutely. This skill set is valuable to any student not just those engaged in the STEM curriculum.  In fact, it’s valuable to every human being.

-Val Prevish