Dream state: Let our dreams come true through the arts

The aim of this essay is to shed light on the research project Dream Stage. The project focuses on developing a culture of intervention, communication, development, empowerment and expression among young people, giving them the opportunity to create their hopes and dreams in drama workshops set in a community centre for young people at a compulsory school in Iceland. The project benefits not only the young people themselves but also the community and society in general. The findings reveal that the arts enhance students’ social skills, self-confidence and literacy skills. The study also shows that students building a project they can call their own empowers them to be more outspoken about what is important in their lives.