For most people, going to the theater is simply incredible entertainment, but theater influences so much more. As a student at Young Actors Theater (YAT), I’ve experienced firsthand the profound impact that arts programs provide to both students and our wider community.
Through my dance, acting and music classes, I’ve become part of a company and found a platform for my creative expression. I entered Young Actors as a rising seventh grader when most of the students had already known each other since infancy.
Everyone was so welcoming, supportive, and kind and now, after three years as a YAT student, I’ve made some of my best friends and have had incredible opportunities to perform with Broadway star Shoshana Bean, at Springtime Tallahassee, and in nearly a dozen different shows. Young Actors Theatre, and theaters like it, are the places where we go to dream and have an amazing time doing the thing we love with the people we love, all while bringing worlds to life.
Theater has also helped me develop essential skills like organization, public speaking, and leadership – skills needed for my academic success and future career. Studies show that students who are involved in arts education receive higher scores on standardized tests, including 25% higher on reading and language arts and 15% higher on math.
Arts education not only cultivates the leaders of tomorrow, but also plays a vital role in our economic landscape. According to Americans for the Arts, arts and culture in the Tallahassee/Leon County area is a $204 million industry, supporting 2,930 jobs in the local community. The Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture reports that the state’s arts and cultural industry has generated $5.8 billion in economic activity, including $2.9 billion by nonprofit arts and culture organizations. These statistics emphasize the vital role that the arts play in supporting and growing our economy.
The supportive environment at YAT has contributed so much to my personal development and has inspired me to advocate passionately for the arts. Recently, I’ve established a student advocacy group to support additional funding for arts programs. We strive to show policymakers and stakeholders how theater cultivates personal growth, builds confidence, and prepares students for future leadership roles. By showcasing the visible and invisible advantages of theater and arts education, we hope to ensure continued support and funding for these invaluable programs.
So, the next time you’re applauding at another great show, remember to also cheer for the substantial impact the arts have on our community and continue to stand and support programs that nurture creativity, build community, create our future leaders, and drive economic growth.
Addison Roberts, 15, is a member of Young Actors Theatre’s Audition-Based Company of students and creator of its Student Advocacy Group. She will be on stage next in Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, November 1-10.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to [email protected]. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK.