Colorful, exciting and educational: Anouk and her journey to the sea” inspires!

Colorful, exciting and educational: Anouk and her journey to the sea” inspires!

The Euregiohalle was recently transformed into a show theater to celebrate the exciting premiere of the children's musical “Anouk and her journey to the sea”. The performance was put on by the music school's children's musical group and particularly attracts the interest of younger viewers. Around 40 children between the ages of 5 and 16 stood together on stage and showed impressive acting, singing and dancing talent. They were supported by the choir group and the JeKits choir of the Maria Montessori School.

Rehearsals for this extraordinary piece took place weekly for almost a year, led by the committed music educators Luanda Schillings and Carolin Lehmann. Intensive training under the guidance of dance trainer Floralie Reiff enabled the children to use their skills in a variety of ways.

Content of the musical

The musical tells the story of the main character Anouk, who lives in a closely monitored orphanage. Her roommates are heavily influenced by social media, which makes Anouk realize the negative effects of digital addiction. On her exciting journey to the sea, she meets colorful characters and mythical creatures who help her inspire her friends. The fantasy journey focuses on central values ​​such as courage, friendship and trust and offers a captivating story that includes both amusing characters and upbeat songs.

The musical is aimed at children aged 5 and over and the entire family. After the successful premiere, further performances will take place next Saturday and Sunday, which are already generating great anticipation.

Digital challenges for youth

The themes of the musical are set against the background of a worrying development: the influence of digital media on children and young people is becoming increasingly clear. A recent study shows that young people now view digital and social media as a natural part of their lives. However, media addiction among young people increased during the Corona pandemic, which can have a negative impact on their mental health. Although more than two thirds of young people see more advantages than disadvantages in digitalization, they still need better preparation for the digital challenges.

Some of the problematic aspects of media consumption, such as media addiction, fake news and hate speech, are increasingly the focus of research. The need for communication, social media skills and psychological support in times of crisis is considerable. Studies show that 69% of young people expect positive social developments through digitalization and 79% see advantages for their personal development. However, there remains a high risk of more critical consumption, especially given the influence of influencer marketing.

Further research shows the connection between digital media use and an increased need for support in dealing with online experiences. Initiatives to promote media literacy are essential in order to collectively overcome the challenge of the digital world.

The combination of the children's singing and acting talent, as well as the connection to the current challenges of the digital world, suggests that events like the musical “Anouk and her journey to the sea” not only entertain, but also address important social issues.

For more information about the resurrection of the Euregiohalle as a show theater, visit Made in Bocholt. You can find details about young people's media usage behavior and the associated challenges at Bildungsserver.de.