Therese Marie Thompson: Curtain Call
in the Digital Era
Therese Marie Thompson explained that in an age where glowing screens dominate our waking hours, it might seem inevitable that live theatre would fade into the background. Yet, the opposite has proven true. Despite streaming platforms, cinematic spectacles, and endless digital distractions, theatre continues to hold its ground rooted not in nostalgia, but in an irreplaceable human experience.
The magic of theatre begins with its immediacy No pause button, no rewind only a singular moment unfolding before your eyes. Each performance is unique, shaped by the energy of the actors and the audience, creating a fleeting connection that can’t be replicated through pixels This shared atmosphere, where laughter, gasps, and applause ripple through the room, is the heartbeat of live performance.
Theatre also offers an antidote to the digital overload that saturates our daily lives. Screens often encourage passive consumption, while theatre demands engagement The absence of filters and editing forces us to confront the rawness of human emotion joy, grief, anger delivered without digital mediation. It’s a reminder that, beyond our devices, real stories still unfold in the warmth of human presence
Moreover, theatre’s endurance lies in its adaptability. Contemporary productions blend traditional stagecraft with modern technology immersive lighting, projections, and soundscapes to captivate new audiences while preserving the core intimacy of live storytelling In this way, theatre doesn’t compete with digital media; it complements it, using innovation to enhance rather than replace the art form
At its heart, theatre is not just entertainment it’s a ritual of community In a world where much of our “togetherness” happens through screens, the act of gathering in a shared space to witness a live performance becomes profoundly meaningful. People leave the theatre not only with memories of the play, but with the echo of a collective experience that lingers far longer than a scrolling feed
The spotlight may share the stage with the screen in today’s cultural landscape, but it will never be dimmed. As long as humans crave connection, authenticity, and stories told face-to-face, the curtain will keep rising.