Stimulating Social Engagement of Adolescents Through Theatre: Findings from a Multi-Perspective Survey

This study explores how theatre activities can stimulate the social engagement of adolescents based on data collected in a survey carried out within the ForesTEEN project. Drawing on the responses of 144 participants (i.e., adolescents, theatre professionals, teachers, project partners, parents, and audience members), this article compares multi-perspective views of the work of theatre, adolescents’ motivation to participate, perceived barriers, and successful strategies to encourage adolescents’ participation. It has been found that active theatre participation can lead to the improvement of communication skills, empathy, and self-esteem of adolescents. Most significantly, engaging teens in theatre provides a key avenue for social integration. By offering adolescents with different cultures and ethnic identities a platform to be heard, co-create stories, and feel connected to others, theatre is a space of belonging and shared humanity. Theatre is utilised in reducing social and cultural inequalities to allow adolescents to be actively involved in society and develop interpersonal and civic skills. Several recommendations are provided in the study, which illuminate how theatre can be more participatory, accessible, and inclusive, and how it is to be recognised as a strategic tool enabling adolescent social engagement.