EDible News: Nicholas Catania, News Director
Reflecting on this month's theme, it is inevitable that classroom connections are essential. The connection between student relationships and course material are integral to establishing wholesome learning environments, however, there is another sphere that requires important emphasis as well: the community.
Communities hold collective public and private institutions that work together as a cohesive unit. One of these elemental social institutions is the theatre. Dating back to antiquity, theatre served as a means to educated the masses. As history progressed, theatre became geared toward a hierarchy of class as forms of entertainment and high art. In Renaissance Italy, street performances such as commedia dell'arte served as comedic relief from life's struggles. While theatre served its many purposes, the underlying force remains within the educational realm.
Today, theatre can incite many different emotions in people. Some seek theatre for a sense of culture, whereas many approach the industry as a means of entertainment. Although differing views, theatre provides an escape that allows for direct connections to be made during the experience. When attending a performance, audience members become immersed in the world visually presented before their eyes. Audiences are encouraged to question the motives, psychology and history of the characters. Good theatre has the ability to invoke empathy within its audience; a relation like none other. Compared to film, audiences are transformed directly into the three-dimensional world lived by the characters on stage.
While culture is one of the larger entities that encircle theatre today, productions offer a set of frames and different interpretations relating to points of view. Students are able to compare, contrast and critically think about meaning and message as it relates to their everyday lives. Through all of this, a connection is made.
Looking back to grade three, my first memorable production was Annie. Although the campy songs and adorable orphans did not assist in highlighting the Great Depression all too well, the production was memorable and existent. Later on I would soon come to utilize my talents in the theatre arts; however, the educational message was there. Returning to class, we were given a worksheet on the characters. We were asked about our favourites, our less desirable characters, and opinion on the play as a whole. Class discussion later ensued regarding the overarching lesson of the play; specifically, the importance of living holy lives, as is the expectation within the catholic education system.
Back in April, I was called out to review a performance hosted by Soulpepper in the Distillery District. Trudeau and the FLQ sets out to portray the life and predicament of Canada’s legendary Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, during the October Crisis of 1970. At no point have I ever remembered leaving the theatre feeling so informed and academically inspired. Although satirical, the production depicted and portrayed the tragic October Crisis greater than a history textbook ever could.
While teacher candidates are working effortlessly to establish a connection within the classroom, the next step is moving within the community. Once the classroom environment has been established, one cannot dismiss the immense educational impact that the theatre cherishes and celebrates.
