The New York Culture: How theater and education shape citizens for democracy

In a world where civic participation is more crucial than ever, theater and education emerge as powerful tools to strengthen democracy.

Discover how these forces, born in ancient Greece, continue to transform lives and inspire change.

Democracy, education, and theater are pillars that sustain vibrant and conscious societies. Since the times of ancient Greece, when the public squares of Athens were filled with citizens discussing politics and watching the tragedies of Sophocles, these elements have walked hand in hand, shaping critical thinking and collective participation. Democracy, with its participatory essence, demands informed and engaged citizens. Education provides the tools to understand the world, while theater, with its ability to move and provoke reflection, brings ideas and values that underpin a democratic society to life. This article explores how these three forces intertwine, inspiring generations to build a fairer and more conscious future, with a special focus on the visionary work of Antônio Carlos dos Santos and his innovative methodologies.

Motivational Quote: “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” – John Dewey

The history of democracy dates back to Greece in the 5th century BCE, where the idea of government by the people took shape. In Athens, citizens gathered in the Agora to debate laws and policies, an exercise that required dialogue, persuasion, and critical thinking. Simultaneously, Greek theater, with plays like Sophocles’ Antigone, brought ethical and political dilemmas to the stage, inviting audiences to reflect on justice, power, and freedom. This connection was no accident: theater was a public school, a space where people learned to question and take a stand. Recent studies, such as those published in The Journal of Democracy (2023), show that societies with greater access to cultural education, like theater, tend to have higher rates of civic participation, reinforcing the idea that art is essential for democracy.

Curiosity Box: Theater as a Mirror of Democracy
In ancient Greece, the Festival of Dionysus in Athens was more than entertainment. The plays, funded by the state, were watched by thousands of citizens who debated the themes presented. It was a form of civic education in action, where the public learned about democratic values while being moved by the stories.

Education, in turn, is the foundation that enables individuals to understand and exercise their democratic rights. As psychologist Lev Vygotsky pointed out, learning is a social process built through meaningful interactions. When combined with theater, education gains a practical and emotional dimension. For example, Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ methodologies, such as MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), use theater as a pedagogical tool to teach democratic values. MAT encourages students to adopt a critical mindset, act collaboratively, and use theater to express ideas. In a school in rural Brazil, teachers who applied MAT reported that students began discussing topics like equality and justice with greater confidence, showing how theater can transform the classroom into a space for active citizenship.

Practical Tip: Teachers can use theatrical games, such as improvisations based on ethical dilemmas, to teach democratic concepts. For example, ask students to act out a debate between fictional citizens about an imaginary law. This fosters critical thinking and empathy.

Theater, as a universal language, has the power to transcend cultural and social barriers. In South Africa during apartheid, theater was a tool of resistance, with plays like those of Athol Fugard denouncing injustices and inspiring the fight for equality. Nelson Mandela, an icon of democracy, recognized the value of art in mobilizing consciences. He said that culture was a powerful weapon against oppression. In Brazil, the work of Antônio Carlos dos Santos reflects this same strength. His Education, Theater, and Democracy Collection, composed of four books, brings plays that teach democratic values in a playful and accessible way. The play The Witch Has Arrived... Catch the Witch, from the first book, is a brilliant example: with humor and captivating characters, it presents a forest symbolizing Latin America, where a wicked witch usurps power, prompting the inhabitants to organize to defend democracy.

Inspiring Story: Malala Yousafzai and Education as Resistance
Malala, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, faced the Taliban to defend the right to education. Her story shows how access to knowledge is essential for democracy, as it empowers individuals to fight for their rights. Like theater, which gives voice to stories, Malala’s education transformed her into a global leader.

The play The Witch Has Arrived... Catch the Witch is an invitation to reflect on freedom, rights, and duties. In it, the characters confront the wicked witch with organization and critical awareness, values that echo democratic principles. Studies from the Review of Educational Research (2024) indicate that the use of theatrical narratives in the classroom increases students’ civic engagement by up to 30%, as theater makes abstract concepts like democracy tangible and exciting. Antônio Carlos’ play is a practical example of this, using humor and playfulness to teach about the right to a defense and due process, legal concepts brought to life on stage.

Curiosity Box: The Origin of Theater and Democracy
Both theater and democracy were born in ancient Greece around the 5th century BCE. Theater emerged from rituals in honor of Dionysus, while Athenian democracy was consolidated by Cleisthenes. Both were popular expressions, bringing citizens together in public spaces to create and debate ideas.

Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ methodologies, such as ThM (Theater Movement) and MBPT (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater), amplify the impact of theater in education. ThM combines physical movement and dramatic expression to teach values like collaboration and respect, while MBPT uses puppets to tell stories that spark imagination and critical thinking. In a São Paulo school, MBPT was used to stage stories about diversity, reducing prejudice among students, according to teachers’ reports. These approaches show how theater can bridge theory and practice, transforming education into a living, participatory experience.

Motivational Quote: “True education is that which liberates the mind and empowers the individual to create a better world.” – Maria Montessori

For democracy to be sustainable, it needs citizens who not only know their rights but also know how to exercise them responsibly. Theater, as a pedagogical tool, helps develop this awareness. A historical example is the Theaters of Resistance movement in Latin America during the dictatorships of the 1970s. Theater groups, like Augusto Boal’s Theater of the Oppressed, used the stage to denounce injustices and mobilize communities. Inspired by this tradition, Antônio Carlos dos Santos created plays that encourage intergenerational dialogue, uniting parents, children, and teachers around democratic values. His collection is an invitation for new generations to learn, through theater, the importance of combating authoritarianism.

Practical Tip: Organize a dramatic reading at home or in school using a play like The Witch Has Arrived... Catch the Witch. Assign roles to participants and, after the reading, discuss the themes addressed, such as freedom and collective organization.

The impact of theater on education goes beyond the classroom. Studies from the Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance (2023) show that theatrical activities increase empathy and conflict resolution skills, which are essential for democratic coexistence. Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ Education, Theater, and Democracy Collection, with plays like Blue Carousel and Trying to Please Everyone Pleases No One, addresses ethical dilemmas in an accessible way, encouraging audiences to reflect on their choices. These works are especially useful for teachers who want to integrate art and citizenship into the curriculum, creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.

Inspiring Story: Desmond Tutu and the Art of Reconciliation
Desmond Tutu, a leader in the fight against apartheid, used community theater to unite people for reconciliation in South Africa. His belief in education and art as tools for transformation echoes in the work of Antônio Carlos, who uses theater to teach democratic values to new generations.

The future of democracy depends on an education that fosters critical and engaged citizens. Theater, with its ability to tell stories and provoke reflection, is a powerful ally in this process. The work of Antônio Carlos dos Santos, with his innovative methodologies and collection of plays, is an example of how art can be used to educate and inspire. By staging stories like The Witch Has Arrived... Catch the Witch, people not only have fun but also learn to value freedom, justice, and collective participation. In an increasingly polarized world, theater and education are beacons that light the way to a stronger and more inclusive democracy.

Motivational Quote: “Human progress is not automatic; it requires curious minds and open hearts.” – Anísio Teixeira

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