Watching live theatre can be much more than an evening of entertainment. Live theatre shows, such as those at the Arvada Center in Arvada, Colorado, offer the opportunity to participate in Theatre Therapy. This concept centers around using the performing arts to boost mental health and is a powerful tool for enhancing emotional well-being. Through storytelling, role-playing, and emotional expression, audience members can explore their thoughts and emotions in a safe and supportive environment, benefiting their emotional and social health, and aiding in healing from trauma.

Philip Sneed, who has been the CEO of the Arvada Center for over 12 years following a successful on-stage career, often reflects on the transformative power of theatre in his life. “Theatre saved me when I was a teenager. My self-esteem was so low that I was convinced I would fail at whatever I tried to do in life. I gained confidence and learned that I was valued as a member of a team and that I could make a contribution that would contribute to the success of the enterprise as a whole. And that made all the difference,” he shares. "I gained confidence and learned that I could make a contribution that would further the enterprise as a whole. And that made all the difference."

Emotional Health Benefits

At its core, theatre is an art of empathy and understanding. Through the actors on stage, the audience is invited to step into someone else’s shoes and experience the world differently. Watching these live performances can offer catharsis—a healthy emotional release. Characters navigate complex situations, often dealing with emotions like anger, fear, love, or grief. When an actor embodies these emotions, or when an audience member witnesses them, it creates a safe space to process similar personal feelings. This release can reduce stress and increase mental clarity. This process also fosters empathy and a greater appreciation for the diversity of human emotions and experiences, which is key to building emotional intelligence and mental resilience.

Social Health Benefits

Theatre is a communal experience. Attending live shows allows attendees to find communities they may not encounter elsewhere. Performance centers such as the Arvada Center serve as “third places,” where people connect outside of work or home. Sociologists say that third places are vital for building community, which helps boost relaxation chemicals in the brain and combats anxiety and depression.

Loneliness is an epidemic that performance arts help to fight. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 30% of adults in America feel lonely once a week, while 10% feel lonely every day. Attending a live theatre performance is a social activity that can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Simply being surrounded by others and experiencing art together can foster a sense of belonging, which is vital for mental health, resilience, and coping during difficult times.

A Tool for Healing

Beyond the stage, theatre therapy is used in mental health practices as a form of expressive therapy. Some therapists even prescribe live performances as a way for individuals to explore emotions, practice mindfulness, and connect with the larger human experience. National studies have shown that for those suffering from trauma, mental illness, addiction, or social problems, the creative and thought-provoking outlet of live theatre aids in their healing journey by increasing reflectiveness and empathy. Seeing stories play out in real-time allows for reflection on one’s own life in a non-threatening way. This process can provide clarity and emotional healing, particularly for those dealing with stress, anxiety, or grief.

Live theatre has the power to inspire. Whether it’s a story of perseverance, transformation, or triumph, the lessons learned through theatre can often mirror personal growth. As an audience member, you leave the theatre not only entertained but also motivated to make changes in your own life, leading to a boost in self-esteem and personal development.

Shows at the Arvada Center

The fantastic staff at the Arvada Center has curated a wonderful 2024-2025 season for you and your family to enjoy. While the musical “Waitress” brings an end to the beginning of the season, you have the opportunity to catch a variety of incredible live shows that you’ll enjoy, therapeutically or otherwise. Get your tickets here.

Dracula, A Feminist Revenge Drama Really - Sept. 27 - Nov. 3

Just in time for fall, enjoy a revenge story good enough to sink your teeth into! Experience a play that’s half horror and half humor, where the trope of Dracula’s fainting ladies and sinister villains gets flipped on its head. Who are the real monsters and who is actually in distress?

Once Upon A Mattress - Nov. 22 - Dec. 29

Get ready to laugh out loud in a kingdom far away and long ago. Prince Dauntless’ overbearing mother and quiet father decree that he will never marry until he finds a wife  graceful and sensitive enough to be a true princess. Will goofy, unceremonious Winnifred the Woebegone from the swamp be the one to pass the impossible test? Find out in this twist on “The Princess and the Pea.”

Clybourne Park - Feb. 14 - March 30, 2025

Kicking off 2025, this play, which won both a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony Award, is set in one house. In 1959, a Black family moved in. In 2009, a white family moved in. In between, you witness the change in attitudes, demographics, and property values.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder - March 28 - May 11, 2025

Monty Navarro discovers he’s eighth in line for an earldom in the aristocratic D’Ysquith family. Determined to gain his birthright by any means necessary, Monty tries to juggle his mistress, his fiancée, his reputation, and an increasing body count that is beginning to attract the suspicions of the law.