By Unit students Isabel, Seb and Keir
Youth Theatre
There are many ways we can define youth theatre. With each different research topic, a new definition is created and developed, and while the definitions are endless and always relative, there are also general themes that appear throughout them all.
Youth theatre is the creation of a community in which young people can thrive, make friends and learn valuable life skills. It is so much more than devising and performing theatre, providing an inclusive environment where members can gain confidence, the ability to effectively communicate and creative thinking skills.
The term ‘youth’ remains ambiguous and can be assigned according to different research pathways and ideas. Essentially, however, ‘youth’ in a youth theatre context are young people who are brought together simply because of their passion for the arts. This united interest is what sparks creativity and innovation in these environments, ensuring successful personal and social development.
Youth theatre plays a significant role in building emotional intelligence by creating a safe and collaborative space for young people to explore their emotions and those of others. Through acting, participants embody different characters and experience a range of feelings, allowing them to develop empathy and a deeper understanding of human behaviour. By interpreting scripts and improvising, they learn to recognise and manage emotions, both on stage and in real life.
Group work in theatre fosters strong communication skills, teaching young performers to listen actively, respond thoughtfully, and work harmoniously with others. It also helps them develop resilience as they navigate constructive criticism and performance challenges, building self-awareness and confidence. Moreover, youth theatre encourages emotional expression in a supportive environment, promoting self-regulation and the ability to manage stress. This unique creative outlet enables young people to cultivate emotional intelligence, a skill crucial for success in relationships, education, and personal development.
What is Oral History?
“All history was at first oral” was a comment made by Samuel Johnson in the 18th century. It refers to how oral history predates the written word as the oldest type of historical enquiry. But oral history as a research methodology was initiated in the 20th century, becoming established in the 1940s with the use of tape recorders. It has now further evolved in the 21st century with the help of digital technologies.
Oral history can be defined as a method of gathering and preserving the spoken memories of people, communities and participants in past events. The potential to then interpret and analyse those voices is available but is not always a necessity. However, for anyone conducting research into a chosen topic, analysis of the oral history they have conducted will be crucial in contributing to their findings.
We will be taking this into account for when we begin to create an oral history of our own for the Bristol Old Vic’s Young Company in the coming weeks.