The New York Culture: The light of citizenship: how children can reignite the world

An inspiring journey on how theater and education can transform children into agents of democracy

Imagine a world where the sun and the moon, weary of human greed, decide to extinguish their lights. Now, picture children leading the mission to rekindle hope and citizenship. This article dives into the power of theater and education to shape conscious citizens, inspiring us to build a fairer and more sustainable future.

In an increasingly complex world, where democracy faces challenges like polarization, misinformation, and environmental crises, children emerge as protagonists of a much-needed change. Democracy is not just a political system; it is a way of living, coexisting, and respecting one another. Teaching children democratic values from an early age is like planting seeds in a garden: with care and dedication, they grow strong and transform their surroundings. Recent studies, such as those published in the Journal of Democracy (2023), show that civic education in childhood strengthens citizen participation in adulthood, fostering fairer societies. But how can this be done in an engaging way? The answer may lie in theater, a space where imagination and reality meet to teach profound lessons.

Theater, like democracy, was born in the public squares of Ancient Greece, where citizens gathered to discuss ideas and watch stories that prompted reflection on themselves and their communities. This historical connection is explored in the Education, Theater, and Democracy Collection by Brazilian writer Antônio Carlos dos Santos, whose work combines art and citizenship in four youth theater plays. The fourth book, The Day the World Went Dark, is a powerful fable that places the sun and the moon in a symbolic dispute against pollution and rampant consumerism. The play, featuring an indigenous person, a rabbit, and a daisy, addresses themes such as materialism, environmental destruction, and the need to reclaim spirituality. This playful yet profound narrative invites children and adults to reflect on their role in the world.

Historical Tidbit: Did you know that Greek theater, like Sophocles’ tragedies, was used to educate citizens about ethics and politics? Plays were performed at public festivals, where everyone, rich and poor, had access to reflections on justice and power.

Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ work is not just a set of stories; it is an educational methodology. His creations, such as MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), ThM (Theater Movement), and MBPT (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater), transform theater into a practical tool for teaching democracy. MAT, for instance, combines the development of a critical mindset with practical actions and performances that encourage collective thinking. ThM uses body movement to express ideas, while MBPT brings puppets to life to tell stories with humor and depth. These methodologies, applied in schools and communities, show that theater can be a laboratory for citizenship, where children learn to listen, dialogue, and respect differences.

Practical Tip: Want to engage children in discussions about democracy? Try creating a simple play with them. Choose a theme, like “what is fair?”, and ask them to create characters with different viewpoints. The rehearsal and performance process teaches collaboration and empathy.

An inspiring example of how education and theater can transform comes from the story of Malala Yousafzai. As a child, Malala used her voice to defend the right to education in Pakistan, facing threats with courage. Her story, told in books and documentaries, reminds us that children can be agents of change when encouraged to think critically. Like Malala, children participating in theater projects based on Antônio Carlos’ methodologies learn to express their ideas and fight for a fairer world. Theater, in this sense, is a stage where they rehearse for life.

Inspiring Story: Nelson Mandela, even during his 27 years in prison, believed in the power of education to transform societies. He said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Projects like those of Antônio Carlos echo this vision, using theater to empower children to dream of a better future.

The play The Day the World Went Dark is especially relevant at a time when the planet faces severe environmental crises. Studies from Global Environmental Change (2024) indicate that children exposed to narratives about sustainability develop greater ecological awareness. In the play, the sun and the moon, outraged by pollution, decide to “turn off” their light, symbolizing nature’s exhaustion. The story teaches that rampant consumerism and materialism not only harm the environment but also erode democratic values like solidarity and cooperation. By performing this play, children learn that their daily choices—such as reducing waste or valuing nature—are acts of citizenship.

Motivational Quote: “True education is that which awakens curiosity and the ability to think for oneself.” – Maria Montessori

Beyond the environmental impact, the play addresses spirituality as a path to reconnect people with the planet and each other. In a world where money often overshadows human values, reclaiming spirituality—understood as a sense of purpose and connection—is essential for democracy. A study from the Journal of Moral Education (2022) suggests that children who develop a sense of purpose are more likely to engage in collective causes. Theater, by giving voice to characters like the indigenous person and the daisy, helps children reflect on what truly matters: empathy, care, and shared responsibility.

Antônio Carlos’ methodologies, such as MBPT, also have a practical impact on communities. The Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater uses puppets to tell stories that blend humor and reflection, making complex themes accessible to children. In a rural school, for example, a Mané Beiçudo performance about recycling led students to organize a community litter collection campaign. This type of initiative shows that theater is not just entertainment; it is a tool for social transformation, capable of inspiring concrete actions.

Practical Tip: Use puppets to teach children about citizenship. Create a puppet representing a “community hero” and ask children to invent stories about how it solves problems, like cleaning a river or mediating a conflict.

Democracy, like theater, depends on everyone’s active participation. The Education, Theater, and Democracy Collection reinforces this idea by bringing themes like rights, duties, and justice into the world of children. Each play—The Witch Has Arrived… Catch the Witch, Blue Carousel, Trying to Please Everyone Pleases No One, and The Day the World Went Dark—is an invitation for parents, teachers, and communities to unite around civic education. These stories show that democracy is not something distant, reserved for adults, but a value that can be lived and practiced from childhood.

Scientific Tidbit: Research from Child Development (2023) shows that children who participate in artistic activities, such as theater, develop greater empathy and conflict-resolution skills, essential competencies for democracy.

The impact of Antônio Carlos’ ideas extends beyond the stage. His methodologies encourage teachers to rethink the classroom as a space for dialogue and creativity. The ThM (Theater Movement), for example, uses body movement to teach children to express emotions and ideas, fostering self-confidence. In an urban school, a teacher reported that after applying ThM, her students began resolving playground conflicts more dialogically, inspired by theatrical dynamics. This is the power of theater: transforming how children see the world and themselves.

Inspiring Story: Rosa Parks, with her courageous act of refusing to give up her bus seat, showed that simple gestures can change history. Theater can inspire children to find their own voice, just as Parks found hers.

The future of democracy depends on today’s children. Teaching them to value justice, sustainability, and empathy is an urgent mission. The play The Day the World Went Dark reminds us that, even in dark times, the light of citizenship can be reignited. Every child who learns to listen, question, and act consciously is a hope for the world. As John Dewey said, “Democracy must be born anew in each generation, and education is its midwife.” May we, through theater and education, help children reignite the world.

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

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