Boxtales

Education and original art

By Erica Rascón on Apr 11, 2014 in Giving, People

When it comes to thinking outside of the box, the Lobero Theatre Foundation nailed it. In 1994, the foundation created a storytelling performance piece for children as part of its literary outreach program. Donning masks, costumes, and a slew of boxed props, three actors set out to perform a one-season show. It was such a success that the troupe was asked to create several more performances.

By 2004, Boxtales Theater Company had become the only professional company that creates original works in Santa Barbara. The company takes its unique performances on tour throughout the region, enriching the lives of children and adults through mythology.

Boxtales brings timeless tales to life through the use of storytelling, masks, music, and creative movement. The combination of methods helps to inspire viewers’ creativity and expands their imaginations. All the while, audiences learn lessons in diversity, tolerance, and a dash of good old fashioned ethics.

Matthew Tavianini, Managing Director of Boxtales, believes that mythology is such a powerful tool because it can use metaphors to educate. The genre’s potential for layers helps Boxtales achieve its goals without feeling too contrived. “We want our performances to be educational,” Matthew begins. “At the same time, we want them to be entertaining and capture their imaginations without being preachy, hitting them over the head with the metaphor frying pan, so that there is no engagement of imagination and intellect.”

Children respond well to mythology’s fantastic worlds of talking animals, living landscapes, and beings of spectacular power. Their receptivity makes Boxtales’ student programming  a huge success. Professional actors visit schools during the academic year to conduct workshops. The organization also hosts camps throughout the summer. Through a series of games and activities, Boxtales helps children develop a multitude of skills.

One popular summer camp activity requires students to create a performance. They play the roles of playwright, director, technician, and actor. Everyone shares the responsibility of creation and everyone shares in the joy of accomplishment. Kids are able to see the fruit of their growing interpersonal skills, creativity, and focus brought to life.

“I think kids can get bored easily because, a lot of times, the media gives them quick little bites of information one after another,” Matthew observes. “It has worn down their ability to concentrate on any one thing for a long period of time. We try to teach the opposite. Our activities develop focus, concentration, and collaboration. Kids are then rewarded for that.” Students’ miniature productions can be viewed by friends and family members at The Luke Theater. “They’re usually very proud of what they have done and it shows,” says Matthew.

The performing arts also teach students how to understand themselves. “The performing arts have a way to connect the body and mind as a whole. PE is the physical aspect of play and they get their cerebral development in class but nothing combines all those parts like the performing arts,” Matthew says.

Working with scripts and choreography stimulate mind and body simultaneously; students learn how their bodies, faces, and voices can be used to communicate. They gain the confidence needed to share ideas with their peers and speak in front of large groups. Perhaps most importantly, students learn to empathize with others. Sometimes it’s by stepping outside of themselves to become a character. Other times they learn by understanding the traditions and mythologies of other cultures. “The performing arts are priceless because they can teach so much at once,” Matthew says.

Help keep the arts alive in Santa Barbara by supporting Boxtales. Yardi is proud to be among the company’s corporate sponsors.