Why a theatre charity for children?
We love going to the theatre but the sceptics ask, given all the other societal ills we face, why focus on supporting theatre for disadvantaged children?
Our first impulse is to say because it will open new worlds for them. It will remind them they are not alone. It will introduce them to new voices and points of view. It will bring awe and wonder into their lives. But hey, that’s just what it does for us.
Disadvantaged children often grow up in homes where they do not have the opportunity to attend professional theatre events. It is hard to quantify the benefits that exposure to the arts brings to a child’s life, but various studies suggest that it exposes them to new ideas, enhances their social tolerance, and can motivate them to do well in school.
We have found one major study that addressed this question directly, from the respected Brookings Institute in the US. They summarise a two-year randomised control study with 10,000 students in Texas. The report concludes: we find that increases in arts learning positively and significantly affect students’ school engagement, college aspirations, and their inclinations to draw upon works of art as a means for empathizing with others. In terms of school engagement, students in the treatment group were more likely to agree that schoolwork is enjoyable, makes them think about things in new ways, and that their school offers programs, classes, and activities that keep them interested in school.
Here are the three benefits a senior researcher at Birkbeck College in London, Dr. Natasha Kirkham, found when she conducted research with children. Going to the theatre…
Improved their social tolerance. Comparing to watching the content on a screen, theatre performances achieve a deeper understanding and appreciation of the material.
Improved their academic performance. Engaging with the arts improved academic performance.
Created positive social change. Exposure to the theatre improved children’s ability to discuss complex and difficult subjects.
Yet a third of parents report their child has never been to the theatre.
Research funded by Encore Tickets.
Is Theatre More than Entertainment?
At the heart of our charity lies a profound belief that theatre not only entertains but also educates and inspires empathy, offering a unique avenue for personal growth and creative expression. This is especially true for our young audience members from disadvantaged backgrounds. Here we share some of the research highlighting the tangible benefits theatre can provide.
A study published in Educational Research indicate that children who attend theatre performances exhibit higher levels of tolerance, have an enhanced ability to see multiple perspectives, and have a deeper understanding of the story compared to their peers who watched film versions of the same story
Arts Education
A Houston study of 10,000 students conducted by the US Brookings Institute revealed that increased engagement in arts learning significantly boosted students' school engagement, college aspirations, and their capacity for empathy
The UK Cultural Learning Alliance's Findings
Drawing on extensive research with control groups and large sample sizes, the UK Cultural Learning Alliance has identified key benefits that come from participating in structured arts activities:
A 17% increase in cognitive abilities
Improved performance in Maths & English
Three times more likely to earn a degree, for children from low income families
Higher employability rates
These findings collectively affirm the critical importance of integrating arts and theatre education into the curriculum, particularly for students impacted by systemic inequalities.