Here at Encore, we believe theatre is a tool that helps us grow in confidence and care for one another. It’s not always all about the final performance; so much of the value comes from classes and rehearsals and time together as an ensemble. There are so many reasons to love theatre, but here are three that we think are important!
- Theatre builds community
Much like being on a sports team, getting cast in a play is the beginning of a new ensemble. More likely than not, there are people in the cast you will have never met before. It is also possible that your best friend that you’ve known since kindergarten gets cast, too. All the friendships, new and old, bring value to the team and affect how comfortable the cast gets with one another. Theatre builds community because it brings people together from different neighborhoods and schools, giving young actors the opportunity to meet new people. Encore is situated between many different communities, and our programs are more welcoming places because of that.
- Theatre builds connection
In Encore’s long history, there are probably hundreds of stories of friends meeting in class or at rehearsal and becoming friends for life. There are several alumni interviews that include the names of their friends from years ago that they are still in contact with! The hours that young actors spend side by side in rehearsals are powerful. They learn new things together and grow in self-confidence and empathy. Both are important traits that build strong bonds between friends. Theatre emphasizes things like listening to one another and being open to the input of others, which leads students to be attentive to each other and supportive however they can be.
- Theater builds life skills
There are so many things theater helps us learn that help us in our day-to-day life. Theater helps build essential life skills by fostering effective communication, both verbal and non-verbal, through activities like acting and rehearsing. It promotes teamwork and collaboration, as productions require people to work together toward a common goal. Additionally, theater nurtures creativity and problem-solving, as actors often need to think on their feet, while also building empathy through experiencing different characters’ perspectives. Confidence, time management, resilience, and the ability to accept feedback are also key benefits, as theater encourages individuals to step outside their comfort zones. Here at Encore we work on those skills so that they become transferable to various aspects of life, from personal relationships to professional settings!
This is a glimpse into why we love theatre, but why do you love theatre? Let us know in the comments or tag us on social media with your “why!”
Photos by Cindy Kane. Blog contribution by Parker Nelson and Mery Estrella.