Understanding how theatre arts impact adolescent behaviour

Can a physical theatre arts program make a positive impact in the lives of vulnerable youths who are at risk for things like drug and alcohol addiction, involvement in crime and dropping out of school? That very question is what bachelor of social work student Tanner Murtagh will research this summer, in partnership with Green Fools Theatre.

Green Fools’ artistic director Dean Bareham has been involved in social circus programs, which uses mediums like masks, puppets, stilts and circus performance, to work with at-risk or marginalized youth for the past 17 years. While participants learn circus arts, that isn’t the program’s primary goal. Rather it is designed to nurture participants’ self-esteem and trust in others, while they acquire social skills, become active citizens, learn to express their creativity and realize their potential.

“In Lesotho, Nunavik, Calgary and a number of places in between, I’ve seen how social circus can change, and even save, the lives of young people,” explains Bareham. “What we really need is evidence to help us get funding, so that we can continue the programs and help more youth. That’s why we’re thrilled to be working with Tanner.”

Last summer, Green Fools, an official partner of Cirque Du Soleil, ran a week-long circus camp in Calgary for youth affected by the flooding and immigrant youth from 12 countries. “It was amazing to see the transformation that happened with these kids,” Bareham exclaims. 

Under the supervision of assistant professors Chris Lee and Hieu Van Ngo, Murtagh will interview and survey past and current circus camp participants about their experiences to better understand how the program impacts the youths’ well-being and development.

“When I started looking into the subject, I found that there’s a lack of research about how physical arts can impact at-risk youth,” says Murtagh, who has a background in music and working with youth with addictions. “My goal with this project is to learn more about research, and also to generate data that will help Green Fools and other organizations like it make their programs even more effective than they already are.”

Murtagh has applied for funding from the Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE). “I think it’s amazing that the university is investing in undergrad research,” he says. “I plan to continue into graduate studies, so this is an excellent opportunity.”

The Faculty of Social Work is building an emerging research culture at the undergraduate level, and actively engages our communities through educational and research programs. Several faculty members’ research, including Lee and Ngo, fits within the university’s Brain and Mental Health Strategic Research Theme, specifically the sub-theme of Optimizing Child and Youth Development and Behaviour. This project with Murtagh is an example of the innovative work being done across the university in support of its Eyes High strategy.