Performing Arts Benefit Planetary Wellbeing, S24, Ep38

Ruth chats with creative team members of the Seymour Performers Workshop (SPW) to explore the far reaching benefits of the performing arts, along with exciting news of their latest production and the creation of a Community Choir.

They explore how creating music theatre along with the act of singing creates social, physical, and mental benefits, not only for the performers but also for the audience who is invited to interact and reciprocate through their attention, engagement, and reaction. This inclusive co-creation allows a collective exploration of new ways to look at the world - an opportunity that can ultimately benefit all species and potentially foster planetary wellbeing.

Using the ‘Visual and Performing Arts to encourage Pro-Environmental Behaviour’, edited by David Curtis, (first published in 2020 by Cambridge Scholars Publishing), provides evidence that artistic methods provide valuable tools to enhance communication about the environment and degradation, and create empathy for nature. Artistic methods can also help us find new ways of looking at a problem, to express solutions, and facilitate community processes. These authors show that the arts and artists are an important part of changing our society so that we exist more sustainably into the future.

Peter Read and Caitlyn Trotter from Seymour Performers’ Workshop join EarthChat for this interesting conversation when we’ll also hear the latest SPW news.
About Peter Read:
Peter began his working life in the theatre. After many detours and moving to the Seymour district in the mid 1990s, he began performing again, first in Broadford then starting the Seymour Performers Workshop with fellow local performer, Kerry Hogan.
Over the past 20 years, Peter has been an actor, writer, director and president of the Workshop as well as a drama teacher in both Seymour and Broadford.

About Caitlyn Trotter
Having graduated in A Bachelor of Music (voice) at Monash University in 2018, Caitlyn returned to her rural roots to pursue a career in music and performing arts education. Government projects like 'The Song Room' as a Teaching Artist in rural primary schools, along with becoming a Voice teacher at Notre Dame College, Shepparton has led her to specialize in teaching Voice performance. In addition to performing herself with local theatre and singing groups, Caitlin enjoys the role of choir director for local community choirs. She looks forward to bringing her experience and knowledge of Music and the performing arts to the Seymour area.
Read more about the Seymour Performers Workshop here