Revival of Community Theatre: A Case Study of Greenline Arts Collective

Thesis Abstract

This study investigates the revival of community theatre through a empirical case study of Greenline Arts Collective, focusing on how grassroots theatre initiatives catalyze local cultural engagement, social cohesion, and sustainable artistic practice in urban neighborhoods previously disenfranchised from cultural production. The problem addressed is the erosion of participatory, place-based theatre in post-industrial districts and the need to understand operational, creative, and community-impact mechanisms that revive such ecosystems. The aim is to delineate the socio-cultural, organisational, and artistic processes that underpin revival, with specific objectives to (1) map Greenline’s governance structures, (2) assess audience and participant engagement trajectories, (3) evaluate programming strategies for inclusivity and relevance, (4) examine resource mobilization and funding stability, and (5) identify indicators of long-term resilience and replication potential in similar communities. The study is guided by the theoretical lens of Community Cultural Development and Actor-Network Theory, employing a synthesis that analyzes how human and non-human actors—artists, volunteers, venues, funders, audiences, digital platforms, and policy frameworks—assemble to sustain theatre practice in a local ecosystem. A mixed-methods design is employed, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews and participatory observation. The population comprises involved stakeholders including 120 current and former Greenline participants, 60 audience members, 15 core staff and volunteers, and 10 funders or grant managers. A purposive stratified sampling approach yields 90 survey respondents (combining artists, volunteers, and audience members) and 40 in-depth interviews with diverse roles across the collective. Data collection instruments include a structured questionnaire measuring engagement levels, perceived inclusivity, and satisfaction with programming, semi-structured interview guides addressing governance, funding, collaboration, and artistic practice, and field notes from over 180 hours of participant observation during rehearsal, production, and community outreach cycles. Validity and reliability are established through pilot testing of instruments (n=20), triangulation across data sources, member checking of interview transcripts, and intercoder reliability checks (Cohen’s kappa > 0.8) for thematic coding. Data analysis proceeds with descriptive statistics and regression analysis to identify predictors of sustained participation and audience growth, thematic analysis for qualitative data, and social network analysis to map actor interrelations and information flows within the Greenline ecosystem. A convergent parallel design enables integration of quantitative and qualitative findings, with a conceptual model illustrating the dynamic interplay between community engagement, artistic quality, governance effectiveness, and resource mobilization as drivers of revival. Anticipated findings indicate that inclusive co-creation practices, transparent governance, diversified funding streams, and strategic partnerships with local schools, businesses, and municipal cultural services correlate positively with increased attendance, deeper participant commitment, and higher perceived relevance of productions. The study expects to reveal that successful revival hinges on deliberate capacity-building within volunteer networks, adaptive programming responsive to community needs, and the establishment of low-threshold participatory opportunities that democratize access to theatre-making. The contribution to knowledge lies in providing a transferable, evidence-based framework for sustaining community theatre revivals in similar urban contexts, integrating insights from Community Cultural Development with Actor-Network Theory to offer a multi-scalar understanding of collective creative economies. The research concludes that revival is not solely a product of artistic excellence but emerges from resilient organizational practices, inclusive community processes, and robust local partnerships that collectively reimagine theatre as a public good. Recommendations include adopting formal governance manuals and governance audits, expanding participatory dramaturgy and long-form residencies to broaden skill development, building diversified micro-funding portfolios and grant-writing capacity, and developing replicable community engagement templates for other collectives seeking revival in comparable socio-economic environments.