Jefferson Humanities & Health Programs

The Empathy Project, a collaboration between Jefferson and Lantern Theater Company initiated by Dr. Sal Mangione, seeks to foster empathy and tolerance for ambiguity among health professions students using the tools and techniques of the theatrical form. 

Register Empathy Project with Lantern Theater Company

The Empathy Project consists of a series of workshops designed to introduce Jefferson students and health professionals to the theatrical form, explore the basic tools of actors and playwrights, and guide them through the writing and staging of original short plays.

Through performance exercises, adaptation, and collaboration, this project challenges students to engage with characters possessing a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints, while simultaneously asking students to work with an eye toward the audiences for the stories they tell. The program culminates in a live presentation of selected plays written by participants, performed by an ensemble of Lantern artists and program participants for an audience of students, staff, and community members.

This course is free, non-credit, and open to all students, faculty, and staff; space is limited. 

For deadline to register, or for more information, contact: Kirstin Bowen, Education Coordinator.

Feedback from Previous Jefferson Participants

“After the first few theater classes, I realized that I started perceiving patients differently during my hospital affiliate visits. I was thinking about them much like you would think about a character in a play.  It was an exciting thing to notice, and something that I hope will make me a good doctor.”

“I think the process of writing and acting helped me process a lot of the hurt and pain I see every day in the hospital. It also helped me feel good about the work I do and gave me permission to simply be me."

“I think participation in this theater program helped me to feel a little less like a medical student, and a little more like a human being again. And that's a very good thing.”