Theatre's Role in Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis

Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!

Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week's email, we discuss:

• How theatre can help ease the growing mental health crisis in teens and young adults.

• We've extended our 2024 Reader Survey by one week! Take the Survey today and be entered to win a $250 Amazon gift card!

• And as always, we catch you up on the most important theatre news and stories from the past week.

• Don’t forget to check out The Scene Podcast; this week’s guest is Playwright Sandy Rustin (Clue, The Cottage)!

So, raise the curtain, shine the spotlight, and dive into another thrilling week in the world of theatre. Welcome to The Scene.

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2024 Reader Survey Extended One Week!

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The Survey will take only a few minutes, but your impact will be long-lasting. Don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard and help shape The Scene's future. Who doesn't love a chance at a shopping spree on us?

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• Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler will make their Broadway debuts in Romeo and Juliet; Jack Antonoff will provide original music by Andy Lefkowitz, Broadway News | Sam Gold will direct the fall revival, which will feature movement by Sonya Tayeh. Read...

• How Broadway’s Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club Pulls Off Its Audacious, Sensual 75-Minute Prologue by Brent Lang, Variety | It’s roughly two weeks before the revival of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s Cabaret opens its doors to the public, and associate director, Jordan Fein is fine-tuning the prologue, an hour-and-15-minute immersion into club culture that precedes the show. Read...

• Crafting Stereophonic: How ‘Terrifying’ Rehearsals, Creative Clashes, and a Soundproof Studio Led to Broadway’s Buzziest Show by Ethan Shanfeld, Variety | Set entirely in a studio, Stereophonic examines the evolving relationships between musicians in a battle of egos and creative control. Read...

• How Do They Make it Rain On Stage in The Notebook? by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Playbill talks to scenic designer Brett J. Banakis about one of the most extensive stage rain systems yet devised. Read...

• See the Cast of The Heart of Rock and Roll Perform the Show's Title Song on Good Morning America by Meg Masseron, Playbill | The Huey Lewis jukebox musical follows Bobby, a Chicagoan whose failed band leads him to return to corporate America. Watch...

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• What do Days of Wine and Roses, The Notebook, and Hell’s Kitchen have in common? Director Michael Greif by Ruthie Fierberg, Broadway News | With a 28-year Broadway directing career, Greif has crafted three entirely different but equally cogent musicals for one helluva season. Read...

• The Shark Is Broken Will Be Licensed by Broadway Licensing Global by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The behind-the-scenes Jaws comedy, written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, made its Broadway debut last year. Read...

• TDF, Hell's Kitchen, and New York City Public Schools Partner to Gift All Graduating NYC Seniors TDF Memberships by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | The move will give public and charter school graduates access to low-cost tickets to theatres around NYC. Read...

• Could All Of This Year’s Tony Awards Nominees For Direction Be Women? by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News | Broadway News examines the history of Tony Award-nominated female directors and the records that could be broken with this year’s nominations. Read...

• Alex Edelman, Leslie Odom, Jr., Colman Domingo, and More Broadway Names Make 2024 Time100 List by Meg Masseron, Playbill | See why Octavia Spencer and Phoebe Waller-Bridge think these Broadway stars have earned a spot on the annual list of the world's most influential people. Read...

• Applications Now Open for Roundabout Theatre Company's Theatrical Workforce Development Program by Molly Higgins, Playbill | The program, which is open to applicants until June 2, trains and places young adults in professional technical theatre positions. Read...

• Submissions Open for Cycle 4 of the Next Wave Initiative by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Douglas Lyons founded the developmental branch of The Directors Company. Read...

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The Big Idea

Theatre's Role in Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis

by Zach Dulli, The Scene

The mental health crisis among teens and young adults has been escalating, fueled by factors like social isolation, economic uncertainties, and the pressures of digital life. Amidst this backdrop, innovative solutions are being sought to provide relief and support, and one surprising but potent therapy is theatre. With its unique blend of creativity, collaboration, and expression, theatre stands out as a compelling method for alleviating anxiety and depression. Here, we explore how engaging in theatre—as an audience member or participant—can offer significant mental health benefits for teens and young adults.

• Expression and Catharsis: Theatre has a unique ability to provide a platform for expression and catharsis. Teens and Young adults, often navigating identity issues and emotional turmoil, can find a voice through participating in theatre. By acting out different roles, they are afforded a safe space to explore personal and societal issues, express feelings, and experiment with their identity. This process can be profoundly cathartic, allowing individuals to process complex emotions in a constructive and supportive environment.

• Connection and Community: The sense of community in theatre groups can significantly impact mental health. Theatre requires collaboration and communication, fostering a profound sense of belonging and shared purpose among its participants. For teens and young adults feeling isolated or disconnected, being part of a theatre group offers more than just a network of support and friendship. It provides a lifeline where they can feel understood and less alone. This community aspect can reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, which is crucial in an age where isolation is increasingly common.

• Empathy and Understanding: Theatre, a powerful tool for fostering empathy, not only benefits individuals but also has the potential to shape a more compassionate society. Actors gain a deeper understanding of different perspectives and human experiences by stepping into another's shoes. This increased empathy can lead to a profound shift in how we relate to others, fostering greater compassion and interpersonal skills and reducing prejudices and social anxiety. For teens and young adults, this broadening of perspective can enhance personal and social development, aiding in emotional maturity and the ability to navigate complex social environments.

• Mindfulness and Presence: Engaging in theatre can be a mindful practice, requiring present-moment awareness and concentration. For performers, the need to be "in the moment" and responsive can enhance focus and reduce the prevalence of ruminative thoughts, a common issue in anxiety disorders. Audiences, too, benefit from the immersive experience that theatre provides, offering a break from digital distractions and the stress of daily life.

• Skill Development and Confidence: Participation in theatre can build various skills, including public speaking, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Developing these skills can boost self-esteem and confidence, which are directly linked to mental well-being. For many teens and young adults, increased confidence in their abilities can mitigate feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, which are common in depressive disorders.

• Evidence and Real-World Applications: Research supports the mental health benefits of theatre. A study by the British Journal of Psychiatry found that engaging in cultural activities like theatre can lower rates of anxiety and depression in individuals. Furthermore, therapeutic approaches like drama therapy have been recognized by the North American Drama Therapy Association for their effectiveness in treating individuals with mental health issues. Real-world applications are numerous. Schools and universities are increasingly incorporating theatre programs in their mental health initiatives. Community centers and non-profits offer theatre workshops aimed at vulnerable populations, including teens and young adults at risk of mental health disorders.

Theatre can be a powerful tool in addressing the mental health crisis among many teens and young adults. Theatre offers a multifaceted approach to enhancing mental well-being through its capacity for emotional expression, community building, skill development, and mindfulness. While it is not a panacea for all mental health issues, its inclusion in broader mental health strategies can provide significant benefits. It should be considered by educators, therapists, parents, and policymakers alike.

As society grapples with the growing mental health challenges facing teens and young adults, the creative and immersive world of theatre offers more than just an escape—it provides healing, connection, and a deeper understanding of the human condition, proving its worth as a valuable ally in mental health advocacy.

Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect any institution or agency's official policy or position. While the benefits of theatre, as discussed, may support mental well-being, they should not be considered a comprehensive treatment for mental health disorders.

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• Sunset Boulevard Revival Wins Big at 2024 Olivier Awards; See the Complete List of Winners by Molly Higgins, Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | West End favorite Hannah Waddingham returned to host the April 14 ceremony. Read...

• The Snubs and Surprises of the 2024 Olivier Awards by Houman Barekat, Matt Wolf, and Alex Marshall, The New York Times | The New York Times theater critics and a reporter discuss the big winner — Sunset Boulevard — and the rest of the honorees at Britain’s equivalent of the Tonys. Read...

• See Who's Starring in Cameron Mackintosh's New Production of Oliver! by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Directed and choreographed by Matthew Bourne, the production will play at the Chichester Festival Theatre before arriving in the West End. Read...

• London Rodgers and Hammerstein Anniversary Concert to Release Live Album by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Audra McDonald, Julian Ovenden, Marisha Wallace, and Patrick Wilson are among the 2023 concert's starry line-up celebrating the Oklahoma! and South Pacific creators. Read...

• Stage Adaptation of Ballet Shoes to Make World Premiere at London's National by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Katy Rudd will direct Kendall Feaver's adaptation of Noel Streatfeild's bestseller. Read...

• Non-Replica U.K. Tour of A Chorus Line Finds Full Cast by Margaret Hall, Playbill |The production previously enjoyed a Leicester run in 2021. Read...

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• Jason Alexander Will Be Tevye in Los Angeles Fiddler on the Roof by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Lonny Price is directing the new revival of the Joseph Stein-Jerry Bock-Sheldon Harnick musical. Read...

• Gun & Powder Musical, Starring Liisi LaFontaine, Ciara Renée, and Hunter Parrish, Opens at Paper Mill Playhouse by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Stevie Walker-Webb directs with choreography by Tiffany Rea-Fisher. Read...

• Immersive The Lord of the Rings Musical To Make US Premiere by Margaret Hall, Playbill | The production will feature an ensemble cast and large-scale puppets. Read...

• Stage Musical of Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean Sets World Premiere by Margaret Hall, Playbill | Called 5 & Dime, the musical will begin performances at California's TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in the summer of 2025. Read...

• Desi Oakley, Kennedy Kanagawa, Cleavant Derricks, and More Will Star in the Ogunquit Playhouse production of Waitress by Andrew Gans; Playbill | Abby O'Brien will direct the Sara Bareilles musical at the Maine venue. Read...

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Free Read of the Week

You can read entire plays for free! Free Reads titles are perfect for your theatre, school, and competition performances. Click on the Play’s title, the image below, or the button below to be taken to the Play’s page; once you are there, click the "READ NOW" button and enjoy!

Nora's Lost by Alan Haehnel

The Story: Debilitated by Alzheimer's disease, Nora Blodget follows the vision of her late husband into the woods on a cold night. Nora's life flashes before her—revealing her former life as a dynamic teacher, a caring wife, and a loving mother. Will Nora's daughter find her mother in time? This poignant large-cast one-act explores the nature of memory and familial love fractured by the onset of dementia.

Drama | 35 - 45 minutes | 12 W, 6 M, 7 Any (15-25 actors possible: 8-20 W, 5-20 M) | Content Notes: Some mild adult language | Set: Exterior: bare trees.

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