CHARACTER EDUCATION IN "ACTION"

Character education matters, and not just for kids. It becomes even more crucial at the university level. But here’s the thing: in places like Lampung, character education tends to get most of its focus in primary and secondary schools. Higher education? Often overlooked. And that’s exactly why drama performance can be a game changer.

Picture of students practising during the rehearsal.

Drama isn’t just about acting. It’s a powerful tool to bring character education to life, literally. It turns the learning process into something far more dynamic, challenging, and yes, fun. When students participate in performances rooted in local wisdom, they’re not only learning about cultural values and norms, they're living them. They get the chance to express themselves, tap into their creativity, and grow in ways traditional lectures simply can’t offer.

But let’s back up a bit.

One major reason drama performance deserves its place as a serious course in higher education is that it teaches real character. And no, I don’t just mean theatrical roles, I mean the kind of character that shapes you as a human being. So why is character education so important, even for adults? In my view, it’s because even as we grow older, we still need to nurture values like tolerance, social and environmental awareness, creativity, and teamwork. At its core, character education is about forming good habits, with the hope that those who learn it will act and behave in line with the values and principles they hold.

Now, why drama? Why not another method?

Because drama performance brings education to life. It’s challenging, absolutely, but it’s also full of excitement. It lets students express themselves more freely, build confidence, and most importantly, learn the art of collaboration. Let’s be honest, teamwork isn’t easy, especially among adults. We all come with different personalities, experiences, and egos. But when students work together to bring a drama performance to the stage, they’re forced to face those differences head on. They learn to communicate, compromise, solve problems, and support one another, even when things get tough.

And believe me, things do get tough.

Unlike teaching children, who are generally more open to guidance, teaching character to adults is a whole different ball game. Adults come with layers, emotions, expectations, and pride. As I like to say, there’s always a little “Drama in the Drama”. Behind the scenes can be intense. Disagreements get more complicated. Adult issues aren’t just about who gets the biggest role; they’re about discipline, scheduling conflicts, budgeting concerns, costume debates, and clashing perspectives.

I’ve seen it first-hand: actors showing up late and delaying rehearsals, conflicts over money and wardrobe due to poor communication, all of which can threaten the performance itself. But ironically, it’s these very challenges that make drama the perfect setting for character education.

Because here’s the beauty of it: no matter how many hurdles come up, the show must go on. Somewhere between the first rehearsal and opening night, something clicks. Students stop focusing on ego and start focusing on excellence. They begin to care less about being the star and more about putting on a great performance, for the audience, for the team, and themselves.

In the end, drama teaches one of the most valuable lessons of all: how to rise above conflict and come together to create something meaningful. That’s character education in action, and honestly, I can’t think of a more engaging (and yes, fun!) way to learn it.