Using theatrical training to improve consecutive interpreting performance: lessons from a pilot study

Although interpreting researchers have started to recognise the advantages of theatrical training in interpreter training, its specific impact on interpreting performance remains underexplored. Based on a pilot study with five participants, this article investigates the effects of theatrical training on posture and gesture performances in consecutive interpreting (CI) tasks from the perspectives of trained and untrained participants, bilingual assessors (BAs), and target audience members (TAMs). The results suggest that theatrical training can enhance students’ perceived confidence and professionalism by reducing stress-related behaviours such as torso movements of leaning, swaying, and rotating, and self-adaptors during CI. Additionally, theatrical training can foster students’ use of communicative gestures to increase audience engagement, though relevant performance may be affected by the state of relaxation. Overall, students’ trained gestures can appear more polished, helping them project a sense of professionalism and avoid creating unintended and undesirable impressions.<br/><br/>