Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. David Givens

Second Advisor

Dr. Alexander Kuskis

Third Advisor

Dr. John Caputo

Abstract

The knowledge-based economies of today’s information age demand a higher level of communication skills in the workplace. One viable method of teaching communication skills leverages the techniques found in actor training. This thesis explores the use and effectiveness of actor training in the training and development of managers and professionals. The theories of Aristotle, Burke, Dewey and Ong are referenced to understand the value of the performance metaphor—“As a leader, you’re always onstage”—as an underlying approach, while the theories of Wiener, Watzlawick, Baxter, Ting Toomey and others reinforce the viability of actor training in the field of communication. A review of the literature reveals a body of scholarship that tests the use and effectiveness of an actor skill-training platform in the areas of management, law and medicine. This thesis gathers qualitative and quantitative data to determine the perceptions and success of actor training skills and their impact on communications. The qualitative data was gathered using a semi-structured interview format. Two surveys were administered—one to the National Communication Association and another to a top one hundred law firm in the U.S. The data collected provide further insights on the perception, use, strategies and obstacles of actor training in non-acting related professions.

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