performance

We have all been there, sitting in a classroom learning a new choir song, instrument, or dance. It is a shared experience with the entire class, or even with all your peers, but did you know this experience actually aided you across other areas of school and life? When you are involved in a performing art, you build confidence, self-awareness and expression, empathy, and even cultural awareness. What would you think if I told you that these same things can be explored within a roleplaying game? But it’s not a performing art…right?

I know that no one sits down to a roleplaying game to watch the GM perform, they come to participate. There are many conversations about the performing arts and how they aid in development (especially the youth). I say that roleplaying games can provide very similar experiences on a smaller scale in a more intimate setting.

Playing with a group of friends, pretending to be make-believe characters, is a perfect environment to explore and develop many of these areas. This is a safe place to try new approaches to social interactions or solutions to strange circumstances. Here is where you can discover your own likes/dislikes and learn to work around disagreements. When faced with challenges in the game, you have to work with your fellow players to investigate a solution. Every time you do this, the next encounter becomes easier.

The first character you play, it is easy to dismiss any actions or reactions as “that’s just my character,” but every character you play has a little piece of you in it. As you play several characters, you will notice the similarities between them. Eventually, you realize that is part of you. Self-discovery is the best way to build self-esteem and confidence. You begin to see your own strengths and weaknesses and how others aid you (not just your character).

As you explore the world, you come across different cultures and the viewpoints and religions of other people (even those held by your fellow players). Navigating these experiences teaches social skills that follow you throughout your life. You learn how to interact with others to come to peaceful understanding, and what may happen if you cannot compromise. Sure, these things can be taken to extremes in a roleplaying game, but it is the same basic concept.