Why Theatre?
Worldwide, theatre is recognized as an effective means to disseminate practical information about issues such as health and civic rights. Theatre-based training improves learning abilities, develops leadership and communication skills, boosts self-confidence, fosters teamwork, stimulates creative thinking and problem solving, and encourages self-expression. Theatre gives voice to the voiceless and provides them with a safe environment and the creative tools to address critical problems that can directly improve their community.
“Theatre is a good way to transform all kinds of information – we can show different kinds of conflict in the families and in society. The most important thing is that we could just make people laugh and happy while
giving them a message.” – Sakina, actress, Afghanistan
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Our programs focus on:
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Bond Street Theatre teaches through sensory and physical activities, using body language, imagery, and role-play to stimulate imagination, exploration, and learning. Sensory and tactile experiences build the neural networks necessary for thought, creativity, and learning. A sense of touch increases connectivity and happiness because it increases brain activity, which makes “hands-on” techniques so successful. Muscular activities also stimulate the growth of neural cells. Thus the more a body moves and comes into contact with other bodies, the more the mind can learn.
Artistic play and creative exploration help to foster self-efficacy and self esteem in young people, and build positive and lasting group connections. By learning to speak in front of a crowd, work collaboratively, and express ideas well, individuals learn to create lasting change in the community.
Imagination, make-believe, and play are also integral parts to brain development and community building. They unlock neural networks, allowing more connections to be made within the brain. Play integrates mind and body, creating a social learning pattern that combines the individual with the world around them. Play and imagination are how we become mature, feeling, caring people – creating the beginnings of community-centered behavior.
Artistic play and creative exploration help to foster self-efficacy and self esteem in young people, and build positive and lasting group connections. By learning to speak in front of a crowd, work collaboratively, and express ideas well, individuals learn to create lasting change in the community.
Imagination, make-believe, and play are also integral parts to brain development and community building. They unlock neural networks, allowing more connections to be made within the brain. Play integrates mind and body, creating a social learning pattern that combines the individual with the world around them. Play and imagination are how we become mature, feeling, caring people – creating the beginnings of community-centered behavior.
Did you know?
CHILDREN INVOLVED IN ARTS ACTIVITIES ARE…
- 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement.
- 3 times more likely to be elected to class office in their schools.
- 4 times more likely to participate in a math or science fair.
- 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance.
- 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay
Creative training builds leadership and communication skills, increasing agency particularly for disadvantaged populations. Creativity itself is a whole-brain process, using both creativity and logic; physical training and improvisational activities stimulates both lobes. Our theatrical projects and events encourage participants to be engaged to their full capacity. Stilt-walking is indeed uplifting!
"There are things I know I can't do... But now I know something I can do — stilt-walk. It was amazing going from being sure with the first few steps that I wouldn't be able to do it - to actually doing it just minutes later."
- Lisa, Psychologist, New York
