Setting the stage for students

James says that performing has taught him a lot of real-life skills that school didn’t.

MANY people find it surprising that a Chemistry lecturer like me had been involved in the performing arts. I had taken part in annual school and college plays in various capacities; at one point, I even coached a group of pure science students for a drama competition.

Coaching them was a memorable experience. It was a breath of fresh air to watch a bunch of nerdy kids (sorry, guys) – who usually had their heads bent over mathematical problems or thick textbooks – transform into confident, eloquent and expressive youth.