Leah Frantz

Title of Capstone Project

Prosocial Impact of The Outsiders

Description of Capstone Project

"Theatre as Catalyst: Prosocial Impact of The Outsiders” critically analyzes how the 2025 North American Tour of The Outsiders can foster empathy and prosocial behavior in adolescent audiences. This capstone examines how live performance provides a unique space for emotional engagement and social learning, especially for middle and high school students. Drawing on studies about empathy in theater, choreographic embodiment, and theories from scholars like Jill Dolan and Jacques Rancière, the essay considers how live theatre not only reflects social issues, like class, identity, and violence, but also helps shape more compassionate communities. Central to this project is the belief that theater isn’t just art; it’s a tool for civic and emotional education.

What Inspired Your Project?

What inspired my project was working on The Outsiders, The North American Tour on both the Marketing and General Management side, and witnessing the powerful emotional reaction of young audiences to Broadway shows growing up. I became curious about why live theatre felt so much more impactful than movies or books, and how that visceral reaction could lead to greater empathy and even action. I was drawn to the intersections of education, performance, and social justice, and this musical felt like a bridge between all three. This capstone is my way of understanding and advocating for the potential of theater to not only entertain, but to transform.