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Theatre As a Skillbuilding Tool

Helping People Strengthen Connections With Themselves and Others //

Practicing theatre can help individuals overcome difficulties in physical, emotional, cognitive, or social functioning. These skills are particularly valuable for populations that might be more prone to experiencing hardships in these areas.

Through our Applied Theatre programs, we hope to change the outlook for these individuals and equip them with the tools they need to connect with themselves and others.

Explore // Express // Empower //

Explore

Theatre allows individuals to explore issues of shared concern.

Express

Theatre helps people learn how to healthily express their individual perspectives.

Empower

Theatre can empower people to make transformative choices, build coping skills, and develop support networks.

Our Applied Theatre Partners //

Thrive Upstate’s Head and Spinal Cord Injury (HASCI) Center

Initiated in 2015, our partnership with HASCI has become one of our longest-running and flagship Applied Theatre programs. Each summer, The Warehouse Theatre facilitators work alongside program participants and HASCI staff members to create an original performance piece, culminating in a public performance. These productions range from adapted versions of classic texts like The Odyssey or A Midsummer Night’s Dream layered with personal stories to entirely original works based on group experiences with individually-developed characters.  Over the 10 years of collaboration, HASCI staff members have witnessed tangible growth in participants’ cognitive and social skills, self-esteem, and confidence. Warehouse representatives and HASCI participants and staff have presented on this partnership at statewide conferences, and remain committed to the development of a handbook or white paper to share our model with agencies around the region.

Bridges to a Brighter Future

Another long-standing partnership, The Warehouse Theatre has served as an elective and supplementary programming partner for Furman University’s post-secondary success program for over a decade. Through several free-standing workshops offered during weekend intensives and an elective as part of the summer residency program, students from under-resourced schools and family circumstances harness theatrical skills to develop aptitude in decision-making, problem-solving, and creative self-expression. In 2016, Bridges recognized us as a valuable partner by honoring us with their “Non-Profit Bridge Builder” Award.

Upstate Warrior Solution

Initiated in 2023, The Warehouse Theatre has partnered with Upstate Warrior Solution, a community-based organization serving warriors and their families, to provide opportunities for constituent students to explore identity, service, and leadership through theatrical experiences. Our annual summer camp program gives students the chance to deepen their community bonds and grow skills for self-expression while providing an affordable childcare option for families.

OnTrack Greenville: BellXcel

As one of our newest partnerships, The Warehouse Theatre teaching artists have provided theatrical programming during OnTrack Greenville’s summer BellXcel offering for rising 6th-grade students. The summer program prepares students matriculating into several schools located in low socio-economic areas of Greenville County for the demands of middle school while combating summer learning loss. The applied theatre curriculum supplements that academic content by supporting these students in their social / emotional development, using theatrical exercises to build confidence, strengthen collaboration skills, and encourage leadership development.

Want to learn more about our Applied Theatre Program?

Contact our director of education, Jay Briggs, to learn more.

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