I can almost guarantee this has happened to you, too: you start to read yet another article about how unfocused and scattered we are all becoming — but you don't make it to the end.
We live in a culture that has forgotten how to play.
Instead, we scroll. We binge-watch. We refresh the news feed—again. Political polarization, climate anxieties, and global crises leave us perpetually depleted. Even the most self-aware among us struggle to find balance.
But the coping mechanisms we reach for rarely restore us. And without realizing it, we’ve let go of the things that bring real joy, connection, and focus to our work. In undervaluing play, we are quietly losing all three.
The Life-Changing Power of Play
At Creative Stage Collective (CSC), we recently took a look at feedback from our audiences and actors—and one common theme emerged: providing a space for play is essential, and can even be life-changing.
“There are so few spaces that emphasize the importance of play and community in such a joyous way. The world is that much brighter because of CSC.” – Francisco Alvidrez II, adult artist
Play Is Best When We Do It Together
At CSC, we do something radical:
Our intergenerational model cultivates mutual respect and inspires a unique openness to new ideas that only exist when children are in the room. It’s a space that knocks convention on its head and shows us that sometimes children are our best teachers.
“Let me tell you something about those kids. They are incredible… when they say something’s not right, I’ve got to listen to them because they usually are right.” – Veronica Hickman, adult ensemble member
Playing alongside children invites us to question the norms and expectations of both our artistic discipline as well as society at large. It encourages us to flip assumptions and unearth new perspectives. It keeps our instincts fresh and our artistry alive.
“Nothing to my knowledge exists like CSC… this model not only works, but encourages work that can be appreciated across multiple generations.” – Marisa Ryan, actor
“Over the years CSC has influenced my own work in reminding me that risk-taking is a critical part of the creative process. The company's improvisational approach to creating really amazing material is not only inspiring but has also helped me remember the value of taking creative risks. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the CSC team.” — Octavio Warner-Greene, adult artist
Laughter Leads Us to Joy
For CSC artists and audiences, what fills the theater is something rare and precious: authentic joy.
“I cried laughing so much… couldn’t breathe when that Joe’s coffee banner came out!” – Diana Moldovan, audience member
We hear time and time again: these performances offer more than entertainment. They offer relief—a break from the heaviness of the world.
“It never even occurred to me that I was watching a ‘kid show.’ It was way more than that.With everything going on in the world right now, it was so lovely to just relax and forget about the world with innocent, comic creative relief. No big sets or costumes were needed, we all simply enjoyed the creative process and a little zombie Zumba. ” – Simona Aberman, audience member
“I laughed, I cried, and I left feeling a little better about the state of our world.” – Hope Dworkin (8th grader)
Healing Through Play
Parents, educators, and professional artists alike have spoken to the healing effects of CSC’s process.Not just on kids—but on themselves.
“CSC helped me fall back in love with acting.” – Tanner Norris, adult actor
“Connecting with younger artists has truly been healing and redeeming in many ways.” – Gerry Vega, adult artist
“Multigenerational collaboration is inspiring and soul-restoring.” – Joel Oramas, actor and college instructor
Releasing expectations unlocks something in us as artists. The ripple effect of play is real. Kids grow more confident. Adults feel renewed. Families connect. Communities laugh together. And audiences leave with lighter hearts and lifted spirits.
Play not just to entertain, but to transform.
“If you were measuring the energy and joy in the hall that evening, the machine would break.”— Helen Whitney, Oscar-nominated, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning film producer, director and writer
“What I love most about CSC is that if someone comes to the show and they're feeling down and they didn't have a good day, they come to the show and after they see it, they feel so much better.” – CSC Youth Troupe Member
And while the performing arts are our medium, what we’re really making is space—for risk, for silliness, for having fun. Because when we play, we take creative risks, we let go of the preconceived ideas that tether us. We make deeper human connections. We connect to joy. And in the process, we make braver, wilder, truer art.
“CSC audiences come in ready. There is an electricity in the air. They are clearly excited to see what CSC will come up with next.” – John Jackson, Symphony Space
Want to experience the power of play for yourself?
Follow our journey at creativestagecollective.org, via instagram, or come to a show.
Play isn’t a distraction – it’s the medicine we need. Let’s not forget how.