The arts and Catholicism have always been intertwined, and performing arts have a special place as a way to express faith. Catholic school students who join performing arts productions connect with an understanding of beauty and creativity, seeing the arts as a way to reflect God’s goodness and cultivate wonder within the world He created. Through participation in productions, students learn essential life skills. Read on to learn more about the impact of performing arts programs in Catholic schools.
Building Integrity Through Rehearsal Culture
One of the most important aspects of performing arts culture is showing up for rehearsals. Showing up means staying prepared, being on time, and taking ownership of the role you play. Each student’s participation in rehearsals affects the entire cast and crew, so accountability and integrity are crucial to the process. The same applies to how students interact with other students. Providing respectful critique when asked for it, being humble about performance, and building resilience in the face of setbacks all play into the success of the show while helping students develop leadership skills.
Learning About Leadership and Belonging
Joining others in artistic endeavors helps high school students feel a sense of belonging. Everyone in a theatre production must take ownership of their role, from performers and musicians to stage managers and technicians. When everyone understands the importance of their role, they feel a sense of community that is further encouraged by the Catholic faith. This empowers them to become leaders, especially as they gain experience that allows them to mentor others in similar roles.
Strengthening the Wider Community
Performing arts are all about community, which is an integral aspect of the Catholic faith. From those behind the scenes and on the stage to the audience, everyone plays a role in the production. Families become part of the show as they attend and engage with the performance. The audience becomes its own community through the shared experience. Later, as they recount the experience, they will continue to be entertained and inspired. In this way, each production strengthens the school community.
Performing arts programs at Catholic schools allow students to become closer to God while they bond with their peers and school communities. Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School is proud to be home to a state-of-the-art performing arts center. We invite you to join us for our spring production of The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood. Find more information and tickets at this link.
