Through the eyes of the modern Jesuit theatre community there is a clear awareness of vision and mission evolving from the institution of The Society of Jesus since its founding in 1540 by St. Ignatius of Loyola.This document examines Jesuits involved in the creation of theatre, as well those Jesuits involved in the scholarship and propagation of theatre.
The dissertation focuses on the evolvement of this mission and practical use of sound philosophical, ethical and pedagogical tools to establish communities, schools and universities which spread these principles initially throughout Europe, and eventually blossoming into a worldwide pedagogical and didactic network
influencing cultures and civilizations beyond any anticipated boundaries foreseen by Ignatius.
Primary in these endeavors was the recruitment of very intelligent,
studious, and practical men driven by religious and pragmatic principles and intent on furthering those principles by enfolding students within the doors of its schools and beyond the school into the realm of commercial theatrical endeavors.
Emerging from this pedagogical blossoming was an ever impressive
growth of dramatic writing and performance structure which suffuses both religious and secular communities with an appreciation for theatre not only as a didactic tool, but also as a source for true visual entertainment far beyond previous dramatic entertainments that still appear on stages today.