Raise the Curtain on a Theater-Themed Adventure!
With a history reaching back to Athens in the 5th-century B.C., theater has been an enduring form of expression and storytelling across the globe. Beyond entertainment, theater is a powerful gateway into other cultures. In fact, a recent study found that live theater increases empathy, fosters inclusion and changes not only social and political attitudes, but behavior as well.
The Shaftesbury Theatre, United Kingdom
Clearly, theater is a transformative, transcendent experience. Tapping directly into the pinnacles of human emotion, from comedy to drama and everything in between, it’s no surprise that another study showed that audience’s hearts synchronize at live theatrical performances.
If you’re a theater-goer, no doubt you’ve felt that profound shift in perspective and emotion as you stand there, clapping, after the curtain falls. Given the power of performance, it’s easy to see how this uniquely emotional experience is a wonderful way to explore the world. The audience is both witness and participant, a combination that creates a powerful cultural exchange and means of preserving cultural history.
It’s no wonder that those of us who love experiential travel and learning also gravitate toward the performing arts. By combining those experiences, we dive into new cultures while also learning about history and social customs wherever we explore.
Here are Road Scholar’s favorite places to combine travel with theater:
Metropolitan Opera House, New York
The Big Apple
Of course, you can’t really discuss theater without talking about New York, home to the Times Square theater district and, of course, the iconic Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Clearly, New York is the place to see the impact of live theater — but it’s certainly not the only one.
Arts in Oregon
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, among the oldest and largest professional theaters in the U.S., traces its roots back to the Chautauqua movement, which brought culture, connection and entertainment to rural parts of the country in the late 19th century. The first annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival took place in the midst of the Great Depression in 1935, and both Ashland and the festival have grown together, supporting a diverse cast of artists, culinary experiences and world-class theater that celebrates humanity through classic plays and new work.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Oregon
Oh, Canada
Or what about the Shaw Festival, begun in 1962 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada? Born from one writer’s love of Irish playwright Bernard Shaw, it’s become a multi-production festival and a major cultural icon in Canada, entertaining over 250,000 attendees every year.
London Town
The West End is famously the heart of London theater — but that wasn’t always the case. In 1642, the Puritans closed all London theaters — a ban on entertainment that lasted almost two decades. But once lifted in 1660, London theaters returned and thrived, and the West End has since been entertaining residents and visitors for more than 350 years. With a history like that, performing in the West End is a long-held dream for actors around the world — and a must-see stop for any theater-lover.
These are only a few highlights — live theater thrives in every community and has a hub in every major city. Even if you aren’t curating a learning adventure around theater, take a moment and explore the live entertainment options wherever you wander — even if you’re going no farther than your own downtown, you might be surprised by how deeply you’re changed, and how deeply you’re inspired to adventure further.
Curious about theater-themed learning adventures? Discover more on our website.
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