Reconnect

Re-connecta’t (Reconnect) is a 4-year project aimed at exploring the impact of regular theatre practice on the development and well-being of children and youth.

Launched in 2024 by Plàudite Teatre in collaboration with a research team from the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS) and supported by Catalonia's Health Department, the initiative was inspired by the challenges young people faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted interpersonal connections and community participation. Studies, such as the Catalan Youth Observatory’s Youth "COVID-19, and Inequalities" and reports by Acción contra el Hambre, highlighted significant increases in mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and self-harm among adolescents, making this demographic especially vulnerable.

While the benefits of cultural and artistic activities on mental health are well-documented (e.g., WHO’s 2019 report and the 2022 CultureForHealth report), scientific evidence specifically linking theatre to mental health and wellbeing remains scarce. Plàudite, active in theatre since 1998, has observed its potential for improving mental health, fostering resilience, and building supportive communities, particularly in urban, multicultural areas like L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona Metropolitan Area).

The project aims to scientifically evaluate theatre’s influence on emotional management, self-esteem, and well-being. Seventy-five fourth-grade students from two schools in L'Hospitalet will participate in biweeky theatre classes over four academic years, with results compared to a control group of 50 students from a school without such activities.

Using validated scales such as TMMS-24 for emotional management and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, data will be collected annually through questionnaires administered before and after theatre courses. Variables include emotional management (primary), self-esteem, biological sex, age, and family or pathological history (secondary).

The project anticipates improvements in emotional management, self-esteem, and well-being among participants, highlighting the potential of theatre in schools as a tool for mental health promotion and prevention. If successful, the findings could support the broader adoption of theatre-based interventions for fostering emotional resilience and well-being in communities.