Our Method

The ENACT method transforms classrooms into a safe space for self-expression, enabling participants to improve their social skills, build their emotional vocabulary, and enhance their academic success. Based on psychological, pedagogical, and artistic principles the ENACT method was developed with insights from a wide range of distinguished specialists in arts, education, and counseling.

Social and emotional concepts such as recognizing and managing emotions, demonstrating empathy, showing respect, taking responsibility, improving self–awareness, and making responsible decisions are focal points of our work.

Research indicates that improved social and emotional skills:

  • Promote positive development.
  • Reduce problem behavior.
  • Improve academic performance/test scores.
  • Strengthen student engagement.
  • Improve school attendance.

(Collaborative for Social and Emotional Learning/CASEL Brief, 2007)

At the core of the ENACT method is our signature scene work. These dramatic role-plays bring awareness through portrayal of characters in a scene (based on specific concerns, i.e. fighting, peer pressure, bullying, etc.) and reflection. The scenes reflect the real-life struggles that often hinder students from staying in school and realizing their full potential in and beyond the classroom. By choosing topical, relatable, real-life issues, participants see themselves, with a little distance, in the characters and they immediately drop their resistance and become more open to discussing and understanding their own behaviors. Through guided reflection and discussion during and after the role-play, participants become more aware of their needs, feelings, and reactions in difficult situations. This kind of forum allows people to feel safe as they explore, make discoveries, and learn new skills.

All ENACT workshops are led by two highly trained ENACT teaching artists who have extensive experience working with youth. They are a diverse group of creative, engaging, and nurturing professional actors who are thoroughly trained in the ENACT methodology and are supervised and mentored by drama therapists and clinical social workers.