Creating Community: An Examination of the Impact of Military Community Theatres

Since Spring 2022, I have been completing my undergraduate research thesis on the importance and impact of military community theatres. I have gathered the scholarship on the history of the military and entertainment, the development of military community theatres, and the role they play in creating a community space for service members and their families.

Growing up on a military base in Stuttgart, Germany, the local community theatre was where I developed my passion for theatre and directing. Many European bases have these community spaces where the transient population passes through and to create art, compete in competitions, and connect members of age and branch.

In 2016, budget cuts threatened the existence of these theatres. The nine theatres scattered across Germany, Italy, and Belgium were expected to close their doors as they were deemed inessential to the everyday lives of the military community. In the fear that my own theatre would be closed, I began a mission to educate both the theatrical community and the civilian world about the existence and importance of these theatres.

While my capstone will be completed in April 2023, my mission is far from over. I hope to publish articles in forums such as HowlRound to spread awareness and begin a new project to interview members of these theatres, so their stories can be shared with a wider community. Below you will find snippets of the my research chapters and photos from various European community theatres. It is thanks to them that I value community so dearly.