South Shore Summer Theatre (SSST) is excited to contribute to the arts and cultural scene in the South Shore area. SSST believes that community theatre is vital to a community’s health and vibrancy and is a proven catalyst for community engagement, social connections and economic development. In the spirit of our inaugural rock-opera musical Jesus Christ Superstar, here are a few reasons why we feel that community theatre ROCKS!
“Community Theatre and the performing arts are such a valuable piece to every community. For centuries, theatre has been a way of bringing people together. It has been a place to be entertained, to learn and to connect with one another”.
Marquee Theatrical Productions
Positive Health Impacts
A community is only as strong as its members and there is a great deal of evidence to show the positive impacts of community theatre and health. While 92% of Canadians believe that exposure to arts and culture is important to individual well-being,[1] research also confirms this. Theatre is an engaging outlet where a person’s mental and physical health is enhanced. People who attend theatre are more likely to report good health and quality of life, have lower anxiety and are less subject to depression.[2] Moreover, those who participate in the arts are more inclined to volunteer, have better health and have stronger satisfaction with life.[3] For youth in particular, the arts have been proven to be beneficial in preventing dropouts amongst youth and preventing crime and violence among young people.[4] The Marquee notes “it helps encourage more engagement and overall helps improve performances in school and life. Theatre shows them they are capable of greatness, helping them build the confidence to become strong leaders and emotionally intelligent community members.”[5] At SSST, we are extremely proud to have recruited a broad range of local youth to participate in our summer production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Their enthusiasm is infectious and their contributions to the overall success of our performance will be invaluable and long-lasting.
Community Engagement
Theatre can strengthen people’s engagement in the community by bringing people together for a common cause and encouraging people to work collaboratively. We can attest to this as there has been incredible enthusiasm from area residents for the SSST program. We are happy to have brought together a broad range of South Shore residents to perform in our inaugural production, work with our cast, participate on our Board, and volunteer with many other aspects of our show. It is no surprise that 90% of Ontarians strongly or somewhat agree that arts experiences help bring people from diverse backgrounds together as a community.[1] We are seeing this in real time at SSST!
Social Connections are Built
Staying connected has become critical in our current environment. Theatre creates connections not only for the cast and crew but also for the audience and the broader community. The cast will come together and build new relationships, and youth in particular feel an enhanced connection to the community when they participate in theatre. Importantly, communities that come together to see a performance also feel a shared love of the arts. In fact, Canadians believe that performances bring energy and vitality to communities and make communities feel a stronger sense of pride and identity.[1] Research has also shown that those who attend theatre performances are more likely to know many or most of their neighbours, more likely to have done a favour for a neighbour and are more likely to volunteer.[2] For youth, participating in theatre can help to build confidence, increase self-esteem and improve communication skills, which in turn can help strengthen their relationships – a benefit that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. SSST is a strong advocate of building these social connections, both on stage and throughout our surrounding communities.
Businesses Prosper
The overwhelming majority of Canadians agree that performing arts contribute to community economic development[1] and that theatres are important for attracting visitors to communities.[2] Theatre Nova Scotia notes “the creative economy is an important resource within the province, creating jobs and economic impact in addition to creative output.[3] In Nova Scotia, the economic impact of the provinces theatre sector on the provincial economy has been estimated at $17.6 million.[4] At SSST, we are committed to collaborating with local businesses and creating durable partnerships for mutual gain. Businesses that support performing arts demonstrate good citizenship, expand the reach of their corporate brands and can promote goodwill among employees, customers and clients.[5] SSST has already employed a local web designer, staffed key positions with local instructors and leveraged business connections to expand our outreach for auditions. We welcome all opportunities to partner with businesses through sponsorships, performance packages, promotions or other activities/events that support the performing arts, business and tourism sectors. Contact us today!
The arts attract more residents to an area, which in turn attracts more businesses . . . interested in living in a community that has a better reputation, naturally brought by the arts
Lionheart Theatre Company
[1] Arts and Heritage Access and Availability Survey 2016-2017
[2] Please see the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts for a summary of research
[3] The Arts and Individual Well-Being in Canada
[4] Please see the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts for a summary of research
[5] Marquee Theatrical Productions
[6] Impressions of the Impact of The Arts on Quality of Life and Well-Being in Ontario
[7] Survey of the General Public: Value of Presenting
[8] The Arts and Individual Well-Being in Canada
[8] Survey of the General Public: Value of Presenting
[10] PACT: Canadian Theater Creating Vibrant Communities
[11] Theatre Nova Scotia
[12] Building the Creative Economy in Nova Scotia
[13] How the Arts Can Prosper Through Strategic Collaborations
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