This paper considers how arts practices (in this case drama) can invigorate learning and teaching across the curriculum. It explores the potential of the ‘teaching-in-role’ strategy to generate experiential learning environments and allow new assessment and management possibilities to emerge. The paper does this by comparing teaching-in-role with the relationship between theatre makers and audience members, in the process identifying the creative tensions that emerge when the theories and practices of arts education are compared with those of the arts industries. Tensions inevitably arise when drawing parallels between theatre and classroom drama, particularly process drama (not intended for an audience). While the goals of theatre and classroom drama may be very different, it is reasonable to argue that teaching-in-role, like theatre performance, is posited on a relationship between two parties. This relationship requires a shared understanding of social, behavioural and aesthetic conventions, and an agreement on how power will be shared. By scrutinizing teaching-in-role and theatre through a common lens of ‘relationship’ new resonances emerge, which usefully inform pedagogical practice in the classroom.