Neuroscience and the Performing Arts: Acting with the Right Side of the Brain

Abstract

Transdisciplinary knowledge can stimulate critical thinking and create opportunities for more creative action. In this perspective, Neuroscience concepts into our work as theater director were introduced, with the aim of facilitating the work of actors in memorizing and playing dramas. The experience of the author, who is a neurosurgeon and theater director, in using this method in his work with professional actors during the production plays is described. Exercises were created and applied to stimulate functions whose dominance is attributed to the right cerebral hemispheres, as well as activities that incorporated concepts of the neural mechanisms of memory, emotion and attention. The method proved to be useful in working with actors of different ages during the production of eight plays that completed seasons on the theater circuit.