5 Reasons Why Theatre is Still ALIVE

Theatre has been around for centuries. It is one of the oldest forms of entertainment, giving us insight into our histories, myths, and the human experience. Did you know that the theatrical arts have been practiced since the year 6 BC? It would seem that theatre is one of the greatest creations of the human experience. However all great things must come to an end, right? Wrong.

Here are 5 reasons why theatre is still thriving thousands of years later:

Expression

Theatre teaches us how to express ourselves effectively. It helps develop our ability to communicate our thoughts and feelings to others, improving our relationships.

“A good actor makes clear the meaning of the words. A better actor gives also the emotion of the part. The best actor adds emotion of which the character is unconscious.” — Clare Eames

History

Theatre mirrors the past, present, and future of our world. It makes history come alive right before our eyes, giving audiences a chance to connect with history. It makes learning fun for all ages.

Social Development

Theatre helps us understand people from cultures other than our own. We can learn a lot about people from all around the world by studying their performance traditions.

“The word theatre comes from the Greeks. It means the seeing place. It is the place people come to see the truth about life and the social situation.” — Stella Adler.

Creativity

Theatre helps us to tap into our most creative self. As our education system increasingly puts an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math, we cannot forget the importance of art.

“In my own philanthropy and business endeavors, I have seen the critical role that the arts play in stimulating creativity and in developing vital communities….the arts have a crucial impact on our economy and are an important catalyst for learning, discovery, and achievement in our country.”–Paul G. Allen, Co-Founder, Microsoft

Community

For a performance to happen, at any audience level, people need to gather in one place for a couple of hours, and witness an event that may be beautiful, funny, moving, and thought-provoking. In an age where most of our communication happens in front of a screen, bringing people together for a positive experience is something that matters.