The Role of Family in Young People’s Theatre Attendance

Abstract

Engaging in live theatre can have a profound effect on who we are and on our ability to develop deep understandings of the world. The TheatreSpace research project examined how young people (aged 14 to 30 years old) chose to engage or not engage with theatre. An important finding emerging from this study identified the critical role of family as facilitators in inducting young children into the world of live theatre performance and later ongoing theatre attendance. This article examines the influence and role of family in introducing young people to theatre and sustaining their engagement. It draws primarily on interview data to discuss how this relationship may contribute to young people’s access to cultural capital, theatre confidence, and theatre literacy. The article argues that such a role for family requires further examination to identify potential opportunities to deepen all young people’s engagement with theatre.