The Performing Wisdom program explores how ancient Greek theater models can be used to engage communities in the service of well-being, ethical agency, and social harmony. Ancient Greek drama explored issues that confront the citizens of a democratic society—conflicts between the state and the family, the scope and limits of human agency, the challenges of leadership. All aspects of dramatic performance—rehearsing, enacting, spectating, singing and dancing—became embodied means of working through social conflict. To participate in this training and performance was to develop rational and to a greater extent affective capacities around decision-making in the contexts of discord and risk. 

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The Performing Wisdom program investigates the effects of this training and performance on amateur performers—student, incarcerated, and military veteran populations as well as working professionals—and their communities. Participants have reported gains in capacities for empathy, reasoning with expert knowledge, and feelings of social cohesion. Performing Wisdom also investigates how the range of these performance effects may inform our understanding of the Classical remains.