Theatre Boasts Myriad Benefits Over Television
By Tina Blake, Development Director, Prescott Center for the Arts
According to “Business Insider,” the average adult watches 35 hours of television a week. That is the equivalent of another part-time job. Many Americans are trying to reduce time spent watching the tube by organizing their house, spending more time with family or friends, getting exercise, listening to the radio, and/or reading books and magazines.
One way to get a fresh perspective on entertainment: to return to the roots of all television by going to the theatre. The theatre is much more than just a play.
What is theatre? Live theatre, also known simply as “theatre” is defined as a branch of the performing arts that concentrates almost entirely on live performance and the creation of a self-contained drama. The word theatre is actually derived from an ancient Greek word “heatron,” which translates to, “the seeing place” in English.
A live theatre performance is termed as dramatic if it is able to create a representational illusion. Taking this broad definition into account, we can say that theatre’s roots can be traced to the dawn of man. From the time of its origin, live theatre has come to take different forms, making use of various elements like speech, gesture, music, and dance, and combining them with other types of art, like visual arts, into a single artistic arrangement.
Many an actor, backstage hand, director, and/or supporter of the arts will likely say television and film cannot compare to theatre. Theatre is live! The actors are sharing this time with the audience. Each actor has only one shot, one opportunity, to create a distinct one-on-one connection with every member of the audience, from the people in the front row to those in the back.
The emotion in the auditorium is overwhelming; anyone can feel it. If there is a sad scene, one can feel the intensity or the sadness that the actors or characters feel. In a film there really is not an overwhelming emotion.
One of the major advantages of live theatre is that watching a live performance provides immense pleasure and many people consider it one of the most gratifying and memorable experiences. An additional benefit is that watching a performance provides a sense of vitality and quality of life.
Furthermore, live theatre has an effect on the community in which it resides. People who watch theatrical performances feel as though they are participating in the performance themselves. Theatre companies increase the amount of money spent in their area, and many theatre goers dine at the local food joints before attending the theatre, or stop in local shops after the production.
Another of the well-known benefits of live theatre is its impact on social and cultural aspects. Theatre narrows the gap between the people of all racial and economic backgrounds as they experience an afternoon or evening of pure delight. Topics and expressions through art bring forth conversations that are not easily discussed in other venues.
So what are you waiting for? Buy a ticket to your next local theatre production, support the arts and stop the television addiction.
For more information about Prescott Center for the Arts visit www.-pca-az.net or call (928) 445-3286