Taylor Hembree

During COVID quarantine and restrictions there have been countless experiences that are almost foreign to us now. One of these is live theater. Theaters across the world shut down and discontinued live shows while the coronavirus ran rampant. Watching performers tell us a story as an audience is something that may seem hard to remember for many of us. 

This seemingly long lost memory isn’t good for theaters; some haven’t survived since COVID, and it isn’t good for you, either. 

According to a July study by the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, attending live theatre improves empathy, changes attitudes, and leads to pro-social behavior. The study also found that after attending a performance, patrons were more likely to donate to charity, again proving that being an audience member is more than just an entertainment experience. 

A report published in 2020 by Statista Research Department says that in spring 2016, more than 47 million Americans had attended a live theater event within the month. A sizable impact could be made if those that were in the audiences came out of the performances with more empathy, more compassion. 

For the last year, The Plaza Alliance for the Performing Arts (PAPA) has been unable to perform on stage. However, this is all changing the first week of November. A group of actors, some new to PAPA, some well-known, are taking the stage and performing for an audience. They are putting on a production of Neil Simon’s ‘The Dinner Party.’ So far there are, on average, about 100 people coming to each of the four performances. 

Let’s say that PAPA’s show brings in 400 people from the Lake Country to The Plaza to see the play. If the research is correct, and for this purpose, let’s assume it is, these 400 people will come out of the audience as better members of society. Let’s say those 400 people go home and tell just one person each about the performance. About how it made them feel. That’s a potential of a lot more of the community being more compassionate. 

Theater is more than just a luxury. It’s more than just for laughs. It’s a way to make the world a better place. Come see a performance at The Plaza, come volunteer, become a member. Create a better world. 

Taylor Hembree is the marketing director at The Plaza Arts Center. The Plaza Arts Center is located at 305 N. Madison Ave. in Eatonton, Ga.