Heart of Teaching : Empowering Learning in the Performing Arts

The Heart of Teaching is a book about teaching and learning in the performing arts. Its focus is on the inner dynamics of teaching: the processes by which teachers can promote―or undermine―creativity itself. It covers the many issues that teachers, directors and choreographers experience, from the frustrations of dealing with silent students and helping young artists ‘unlearn’ their inhibitions, to problems of resistance, judgment and race in the classroom,.

Wangh raises questions about what can―and what cannot―be taught, and opens a discussion about the social, psychological and spiritual values that underlie the skills and techniques that teachers impart. Subjects addressed include:

• Question asking: which kinds of questions encourage creativity and which can subvert the learning process.
• Feedback: how it can foster both dependence and independence in students.
• Grading: its meaning and meaninglessness.
• Power relationships, transference and counter-transference
• The pivotal role of listening.

The Heart of Teaching speaks to experienced teachers and beginning teachers in all disciplines, but is particularly relevant to those in the performing arts, from which most of its examples are drawn. It brings essential insight and honesty to the discussion of how to teach.

Stephen Wangh is a playwright, director and acting teacher. He has taught at Emerson College, New York University, Naropa University, and the Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore. He is the author of 15 plays and co-writer of The People’s Temple and The Laramie Project. He is the author of An Acrobat of the Heart: A Physical Approach to Acting Inspired by the Work of Jerzy Grotowski.