Investigating Grassroots Theater’s Contribution to Cultural Integration: Insights From Mixed-Methods Research in Urban and Rural China

Grassroots theater is an important cultural tool that transcends barriers and integrates communities of diverse backgrounds. The role it plays in cultural integration has not been sufficiently studied, especially concerning urban and rural settings. To explore the cultural connections of grassroots theater in the urban and rural area, especially its contributions to cultural integration and intercommunity exchanges. The current study used a mixed-methods approach, wherein the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data was utilized. The participants were drawn using purposive sampling from both the urban and rural regions, that is, Hangzhou and Wuzhen. Data were collected from the questionnaire and interviews, which led to valid responses for 338 individuals for the quantitative analysis and 95 participants for the qualitative analysis. SPSS was applied for the quantitative data analysis and NVivo for qualitative insight. The results established that grass-roots theater participation contributes to increased cultural integration among rural communities. Grassroots performances in cities enhance cross-community cultural exchange. Integrated theater activities improve relationships between towns and rural areas, whilst drama activities based on regional folklores enhance age integration, and community-based drama activities contribute to cultural integration through shared stories. This study’s unique contribution is its emphasis on grassroots theater as a dynamic instrument that traverses cultural gaps between urban and rural areas and highlights its value in fostering empathy, upholding regional traditions, fostering cross-cultural dialog, and fostering inter-communal solidarity.