The show must go on: Functional, quality, and possible needs for theater and the creative arts

Abstract

This paper proposes a model of three needs for theater and other creative arts. The first level, functional needs, is necessary for basic existence. For theater, that would entail such components as a physical space and players. The second level, quality needs, is comprised of the skills and abilities of the people and materials; it contributes to the professionalism and enjoyability of the show in theater. The third and final level, possible needs, is the degree to which a show or any other type of creative arts can inspire emotions, engage intellect, and develop meaning. Many of the positive outcomes that come from theater and other creative arts, we argue, are a result of this third possible level.

Embracing difference and cultivating hope: The transformative potential of Possibility Studies

“…The point to the disruptive nature of narratives that can allow us to enact our imaginary fantasies. We can also share them, as Kaufman and Rowe (2023) indicate in their description of the benefits of theatre. Hanchett Hanson (2023) uses science fiction to help us understand the relationship between the actual and the real.…”

“…Narratives take many forms, not all of them necessarily based on words. As Meyer (2023) demonstrates, archaeology, festivals, and performative roles (see also Kaufman & Rowe, 2023) all create narratives, offering us different ways to understand and interpret our past and present. Case studies are an interesting form of narrative that can enlighten the reader by moving from single case to wider claims.…”

“…Imagination tends to be conceived of as based in the language of thought and the introduction of material objects moves away from a semantic or word-based idea of possibility to one which is enacted through modalities often left out of traditional discourse. For Kaufman and Rowe (2023), this is one of the key benefits of the theatre and theatrical production -by presenting other realities in a concrete form it allows the audience to imagine more than they would otherwise have done. The actualisation of ideas is an important part of becoming possible since, as Faggin reminds us -''the idea must be materialised in space time and made to work''.…”

“…As Baron narrates: the academic he was working with was not able to be realise his ideas and inventions because of the constraints and needed an entrepreneur to make them happen. Kaufman and Rowe (2023) start their discussion of the benefits of theatre with an acknowledgement of the basic functional needs that are required for any further possibilities to be realised. They also acknowledge the challenges of funding that are paralleled in Knight and Manley's analysis of the limitation of possibility that is wrought by poverty.…”