Year: 2013
Author: Ewing, Robyn, Stinson, Madonna, Fleming, Josephine
Type of paper: Abstract refereed
Abstract:
This major ARC Linkage study (2008-2011) explored what attracts, engages and sustains the participation of young people aged between 14 and 30 as theatre audiences of major cultural providers and, conversely, what factors might exclude them. Investigators from the Universities of Melbourne, Sydney and Griffith partnered with 13 Industry partners.
There were two main research strands in the TheatreSpace project:
i) individual case studies that were integrated through national cross-case analysis. We collected data by focusing on 21 performance events provided and selected by our partners. We worked integrally with each partner as co-researchers, providing them with detailed feedback.
and
ii) a longitudinal component conducted across the three states. Both strands involved qualitative and quantitative data gathering and analysis.
Five major research findings and their implications will be briefly discussed:
- the real and perceived access young people have to major theatre providers on Australia's eastern seaboard;
- the role of schools and teachers in young people's responses to theatre;
- the factors that influence young people's experience of and responses to theatre performance;
- how young people engage with live theatre and what they particularly value
- factors that support or hinder young people's continued theatre attendance including theatre literacy and confidence.
The study reveals that young people enjoy a range of complex theatre forms, bringing to the theatre experience an appreciation of theatre-going as a social and communal event. It underscores the importance of dialogue and effective relationships between theatre companies, young people (both at school and post‐schooling) and teachers.
The significance of the TheatreSpace findings to cultural policymakers, theatre programmers, theatre-makers, arts educators and curriculum planners and to young and emerging theatre creative will also be explored.
There were two main research strands in the TheatreSpace project:
i) individual case studies that were integrated through national cross-case analysis. We collected data by focusing on 21 performance events provided and selected by our partners. We worked integrally with each partner as co-researchers, providing them with detailed feedback.
and
ii) a longitudinal component conducted across the three states. Both strands involved qualitative and quantitative data gathering and analysis.
Five major research findings and their implications will be briefly discussed:
- the real and perceived access young people have to major theatre providers on Australia's eastern seaboard;
- the role of schools and teachers in young people's responses to theatre;
- the factors that influence young people's experience of and responses to theatre performance;
- how young people engage with live theatre and what they particularly value
- factors that support or hinder young people's continued theatre attendance including theatre literacy and confidence.
The study reveals that young people enjoy a range of complex theatre forms, bringing to the theatre experience an appreciation of theatre-going as a social and communal event. It underscores the importance of dialogue and effective relationships between theatre companies, young people (both at school and post‐schooling) and teachers.
The significance of the TheatreSpace findings to cultural policymakers, theatre programmers, theatre-makers, arts educators and curriculum planners and to young and emerging theatre creative will also be explored.