From niche to noticed: Theatre’s return among Gen Z
Stage theatre was long sidelined in contemporary popular culture, receiving admiration from a small number of people, while being mostly overshadowed by movies, streaming services, and social media. Theatre was once seen as slow, elusive, and outdated, especially among “Generation Z”. However, something has changed in the past few years. Quietly reclaiming its place, stage drama is attracting young audiences who are realising its unique draw.
This increased interest comes in part from what theatre has to give that screen does not, which is presence. The shift can be seen through works such as 12 Angry Men. The play, originally written by Reginald Rose, follows a jury deciding on the fate of a 19-year-old boy accused of murdering his father with a switch knife. What appears to be a straightforward case takes a turn when the eighth juror votes “not guilty”, causing a conversation in a group anxious to conclude. The drama eventually reveals how prejudice, impatience, personal trauma, and social conditioning shape judgment more than evidence.
Its recent stage production, directed by M. Arifur Rahman (Founder and Director, Open Space Theatre), held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s Open Space Theatre, has completed 76 shows; an impressive achievement that displays increased audience interest, particularly among young viewers. Mahjabeen Chowdhury (Founder & CEO, Open Space Theatre) expressed, “Credits to our audience for our success, whose support has enabled us to fund the show solely through ticket revenues, with no further funding.” Nuzhat Koofia Tizan (Senior, MNS) said, “The show attracted notably a young crowd, demonstrating how Gen Z is reconnecting with theatre and conserving cultural roots.”
Live performances allow for an authentic emotional exchange between actors and audiences, which Gen Z, while growing up online, has come to crave. As digital exhaustion sets in, young people are increasingly looking for experiences that seem authentic, interconnecting, and engaging. Once considered a niche, stage drama today has become a form of involvement and cultural retreat.
