Happy World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People!
March 20th marks the World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People; a global day to advocate for children’s right to theatre and the arts. This is a great day to talk about the impact of theatre for young audiences and to celebrate the incredible Prologue theatre performances that are influencing students around Ontario.
There are many amazing things that come from experiencing live theatre.
In this post, we highlight four amazing benefits of theatre for young people; Empowerment, Learning, Curiosity, and Joy.
Empowerment
When young people see themselves represented on stage, it can be transformative, allowing them to identify their own potential and possibilities. Relating to stories can make kids feel less alone and sometimes even empowered to advocate for themselves. Sharing experiences, emotions, and laughter create a unique space where young people can feel safe. This sense of connectedness can be especially beneficial for those experiencing social anxieties.
The Schoolyard Carmen presented by Shoestring Opera is an empowering story of independence, bullying, resiliency, and healing. In this age-appropriate adaptation of Bizet’s famous opera, Carmen is a newcomer to Canada who is made to feel different. When Tory Adair, the “coolest kid in school”, tries to bully her, she stands up to him.
Learning
Theatre for young audiences can offer space for learning that extends beyond the classroom. The immersive nature of theatre encourages focused attention and can motivate kids to learn new skills. Participating in theatre fosters critical thinking, understanding, and encourages questions.
Catch Me in The Kitchen Story Adventures presents two reimagined classic tales featuring delightful characters and surprising twists. The performance is a blend of storytelling and physical theatre, told in English with occasional offerings of French words and expressions for introductory-level French learners. There is also a more bilingual version for young French immersion students. Catch Me in the Kitchen also offers workshops where students learn the elements that go into creating and performing a story.
Curiosity
Experiencing unique stories pique curiosity in young people. Through theatre, we can discover new worlds, cultures, and points of view, enabling exploration beyond our everyday lives and personal experiences. This increases understanding and empathy.
Squirrel Suit Productions presents The ADHD Project, an intimate and honest journey exploring ADHD and celebrating neurodiversity. Storyteller/Comedian Carlyn Rhamey shares the trials and triumphs of growing up with ADHD and learning to embrace what makes us different. Through thoughtful and humourous stories, audiences learn of her diagnosis and placement in a segregated classroom and how she navigates her “superpower” now as an adult.
Joy
Lastly, but certainly not least, is the pure and simple benefit of experiencing JOY! We should allow young people to experience theatre because it is engaging and entertaining. Whether grappling with negative emotions or not, theatre has the power to provide an emotional release and foster a sense of well-being. Theatre has the power to uplift and motivate us!
Fireside Munsch presented by M. John Kennedy is a high-energy performance featuring four of Robert Munsch’s classic stories performed as one wacky storytelling play. Children laugh and giggle along as Kennedy zips around the stage, incorporating silly suggestions from the audience into each story.
Who doesn’t love a hilarious (sometimes ridiculous) Munsch story?
Live theatre can empower young people, explore new topics and themes, share different perspectives, and spread joy through storytelling. The inclusive nature of theatre and performing arts allows individuals from diverse backgrounds to come together, building a sense of belonging. Through shared experiences we can learn to respect individual differences and build stronger communities.
Some ideas in this blog post have been borrowed from the International Association of Theatre & Performing Arts for Young People