Measuring emotional responses in young audiences

At Monkey Baa, we know theatre isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about how young people feel when they experience it. To better understand this, we teamed up with Culture Counts to measure children's emotional responses using creative tools like activity sheets with emoji-like pictograms representing different feelings. 

The Challenge 

Children express emotions in all kinds of ways—sometimes with words, but often through play, movement, or art. Traditional feedback forms don’t capture that, so we needed a better way to listen. 

The Solution 

After each show, we provided children with activity sheets featuring emoji-like pictograms representing different emotions. They selected and completed the ones that best reflected how they felt. 

We received over 500 responses, with 70% coming from children under the age of 5. The results spoke for themselves: 

• 96% of children felt happy 

• 42% felt curious 

• 62% played creatively, inspired by the performance 

One parent told us, “My child was asking about the characters and themes for weeks afterward.” That’s the kind of lasting impact we aim for. 

The Impact 

This study confirmed something we’ve always believed—theatre helps young people build emotional literacy. Through storytelling, they develop resilience, empathy, and a curiosity about the world. 

It also highlighted the magic of shared experiences. Theatre isn’t just for young people; it creates special moments between families—especially grandparents, whom we affectionately call ‘grandparent memory makers.’ 

Laura Pike, our Social Impact Manager, put it best: 

What’s Next? 

This pilot was just the start. We’re now working with GoodWolf, our Social Impact Assessment partner, to build a comprehensive Impact Assessment framework. With their mentoring, we’ll deepen our understanding of how theatre shapes young minds. 

What is a Theory of Change, you ask? 

It’s a way of mapping how our work leads to meaningful outcomes. Not just what we do, but why it matters—and how it benefits young people and their families long-term. 

The Key Takeaways 

• 96% of children felt happy, and 42% were curious 

• 62% engaged in creative play after the show 

• Performances sparked ongoing discussions and critical thinking 

Looking Ahead 

By measuring emotional responses, we ensure that Monkey Baa’s productions empower young audiences, helping them build emotional resilience and creativity. 

With GoodWolf’s support, we’re taking the next step—deepening our impact and ensuring our theatre continues to spark joy, curiosity, and connection for years to come.