ARE THE PERFORMING ARTS FADING AWAY?

Maruné Nel 

@muisnel14

 

During a CNN and Variety collaboration featured on Variety & CNN Town Hall on 24 February 2026, the actor and public figure in performing arts, Timothée Chalamet, sat down with Matthew McConaughey, also a renowned individual in the film industry. In their conversation-style interview, Timothée made what turned into an extremely controversial statement about the performing arts, especially ballet and opera.

 

“I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera or, you know, things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive even though no one cares about it anymore’.” This statement from Chalamet sparked outrage on social media and brought up a debate about performing arts and its place in modern society.

 

The Metropolitan Opera in New York responded with a video showcasing the production process behind their performances. The video highlighted the number of crew members, musicians, and performers involved in staging an opera. They tagged Chalamet in the caption, directly addressing his remarks, widely interpreting the video as a response.

 

Some social media users defended Chalamet’s right to choose his own career path, whilst others argued that his comments dismissed performances which continue to draw audiences worldwide. The singular phrase “no one cares” became a trending point of debate, with users sharing videos of sold-out ballet performances and opera houses to counter the claim.

 

More questions were raised regarding the place of performing arts in modern society. Box office statistics show that major opera houses and ballet companies continue to sell tickets. The Paris Opera, London’s Royal Ballet, and New York’s American Ballet Theatre regularly report big audience figures. However, smaller regional companies have struggled post-pandemic, with funding cuts and shifting audience demographics that are affecting their sustainability.

 

When we look at what the North-West University (NWU), specifically the Potchefstroom Campus, is doing to promote participation in performing arts, it is plain to see that productions are alive, well, and continuing. But does that really show us the bigger picture of what is happening on stage worldwide?

 

The yearly Sêr competition consistently draws student participants and boasts about sold-out audiences. NWU also has the campus theatre and the first-year concert. These events, which take place throughout the academic year, see residences competing in categories such as choir, one-act plays, and solo performances. Rehearsals often run late into the night for weeks leading up to competitions.

 

NWU Art Societies’ productions also form a cornerstone of campus arts culture. Students from different residences and backgrounds collaborate on theatrical performances, with frequently sold-out high-demand shows. The music, entertainment and theatre (MET) committee selects and produces full-scale productions each year, some even competing in national events.

 

Furthermore, there are multiple students who continue to train in classical and contemporary performance. Recitals, concerts, and master classes are held regularly and are open to the public. Many graduates select careers in education, performance, and arts administration. Catherine Ellis, a NWU student with 11 years of experience in ballet and performing arts, stated that nobody expected Chalamet to make the statement or do anything about it. “If he wants performing arts to die, he did the opposite with his statement by talking about it and attracting attention through his platform,” she said.

 

However, does all of this really show us the bigger picture of what is happening on stage, or is it an isolated case where the opportunity to grow performing arts is made prominent by the campus student life?

 

Whether Chalamet’s comments reflect a broader shift in public interest or simply one actor’s personal preference remains a topic of discussion among arts communities, as he has yet to comment on the backlash. For now, however, students at NWU can rest assured that, internally, performing arts is still thriving.

Live Ballet Performance (Source: Enikő Lőrinczi via Flickr).

 

Edited by Genevieve Croeser