If there is one thing that can be said about the human race, it is that it is very interesting. We as humans get lost in the often monotonous act of behind a human that we lose sight of this fact, but it still rings true: human interactions, motivations, and overall behavior are so fascinating and have so many implications on how we live our lives. How can we keep in mind who we are and remember all the things that make us human? That is where theater comes in to play. Plays are such a beautiful way of showcasing human nature and reminding us of certain themes that are important to keep in mind about who we are.
In our current culture, censoring is running rampant. Every undesirable part of our human nature is covered up and deemed too inappropriate for the masses. However, it is these themes that need to be seen the most. Our society is often littered with such dark notes of abuse, self-harm, suicide, prostitution, depression, and mental health issues. These are not topics that should be shove under the rug and forgotten. They are huge parts of a lot of peoples’ lives and have serious implications for the world in which they inhabit. Plays should be willing to embrace these darker themes and tackle them head-on. Plays are the perfect vessel for these themes, because they show just how big of an impact they really have on others. An audience member can see somebody going through depression and seeing how hard it truly is on the person and how it is so hard for an onlooker to notice anything is wrong when around them. The crippling blows of suicide can be brought to light for all to see how important it is to love those around you the most you can.
These plays are not just to bum people out, though. They call on something much greater than just making the audience feel horrible. They are to teach us something. The world is a frightening place, but we can make it much brighter. An audience member should walk away from a play knowing that there are horrible things going on in the world, but that does not mean they should not try to make the best out of the world they can. They should want to spread goodness and happiness and help others by being more proactive about issues around them. Plays should show us the worst that we face as a human race and make us want to do the best we can.
Theater can change lives; it is not some flashy occasion or something from which you keep your children at all costs. It is something beautiful that teaches us in a way that is not forced, but a way that takes matters head on in the best way that theater people know how.
