Reflexive Writing Event #3

“Theatre is important because it touches the human soul.”

In philosophy class we are talking about what makes humans, humans. Our ability to imagine and create is what sets us apart from mammals. We, as a race, are creative beings. We create things to connect with others, so our souls are understood better. Art is a piece of the soul from the person who creates it. When painting a blank canvas, one needs to look beneath the surface in order to create a powerful piece of art. The same goes with theatre. When one has a story they want to release into the world, they are giving the world a part of their soul. Now, just because someone puts their soul out there doesn’t mean that it will touch other souls. When observing art or theatre, the message may be clear but not be of importance to that individual. The situation might be also that the message is unclear, and the individual can’t connect to the art. Neither of these situations should be discouraging for artists and play writers because there are nearly eight billion people in the world. There will be people, no matter what, who connect their soul to the piece of work. For example, my favorite band, Twenty One Pilots, produces music that speaks to me and touches my soul. I know that my mom doesn’t feel the same way about Twenty One Pilots. This band specifically helped me through tough times when I was younger. Another example of a piece of work that speaks to my soul is the 1986 film of Phantom of the Opera. This film touched my soul at the young age of seven. I watched it over and over again, and I was amazed by all of the music and scenes. At any point in life, theatre and art can touch the soul. Depending on the stage of life, the situation you’re in, and who you are surrounded by. If I am in a relationship, then I listen to upbeat love songs that remind me of my significant other. That music touches my soul. If we break up, I’d probably listen to slow, sad, and depressing music, which would probably touch my soul during that situation. Any type of art can touch the soul, but it does not always have to be a good kind of touch. One can walk out of an auditorium with passion against the performance. Art can touch the soul and have different reactions according to different people, situations, and messages. Theatre, as said many times before, is a form of art. It touches the soul by telling a story and sparking something from within. Like in our class discussion, it is what starts the conversation.