The “Take a Child to the Theatre Today” campaign is a vital tool to encourage our youngest citizens to become audiences for theatre, by providing access particularly to those young people who have never experienced theatre before.
World Day for Theatre for Children and Young People is celebrated annually by ASSITEJ centres from across the globe on 20th March. To honour this day, the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People (active in almost 90 countries) and its partners are working together to unite theatres across the world in conveying one message: “Take a child to the theatre today”. The 2014 campaign is particularly timely as it coincides with the 25th Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted on the 20th November 1989. The Convention states that every child has the same rights, including the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts, with the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity.
Each year a prominent person writes the World Day message to inspire all to join the campaign. The 2014 World Day Message is written by Dr John Kani, one of South Africa’s living legends of the theatre, whose work has inspired many children and young people to become interested in the value of the performing arts. Yvette Hardie, international President of ASSITEJ writes the accompanying President’s message for the day. Other leading South African actors and personalities have endorsed the campaign and act as ASSITEJ Artist Ambassadors; they include Gcina Mhlophe, Kgomotso Christopher, Nick Boraine, Louise Barnes, Thembi Mtshali-Jones, Helen Iskander, Clyde Berning, Lika Berning, and Nokuthula Thabete.
“Giving children an opportunity to dream, to imagine other possibilities for their lives, to engage with and empathise with people and situations from very different walks of life to their own, is an important gift every child deserves to receive. Without the liberating power of the imagination, problem solving becomes impossible. “says Yvette Hardie, Director of ASSITEJ SA and President of ASSITEJ International.
The ‘Take a child to the theatre today’ campaign goes to the heart of what ASSITEJ is all about, working to ensure that all children and young people have access to the arts wherever they happen to live. Each year emerging and established theatres and theatre companies across the country come together to reach new audiences in community halls, schools, professional theatres and site specific venues. Numerous high profile volunteers give of their time to bring attention to the message. ASSITEJ also hosts special performances and Family Festivals around the time of the World Day, to ensure that children and young people get to see theatre in their local communities. Over 15 000 children attended theatrical events through the 2012 and 2013 campaigns. The 2014 “Take a Child to the Theatre Today” campaign will afford more opportunities for children and young people to access theatre and for ASSITEJ to advocate effectively for the transformative value of theatre in the lives of children and young people.
ASSITEJ SA calls on corporate sponsors, the public sector, the general public ,as well as the arts industry, across the country to join the campaign and to support children and young people to see theatre.
It is possible for all South Africans to contribute directly to the campaign, by going to: http://www.givengain.com/cause/4942/projects/14163/ Donations are accepted through both EFT and credit or debit card payments, or you can contact ASSITEJ SA directly on 021 822 0070/1/2 or on info@assitej.org.za. You can also join the online campaign by using the twitter handle #takeachildtothetheatre. Post your first experience of theatre and join thousands of artists across the world celebrating the day. Visit www.assitej-international.org for more information of how you can become involved.
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Nick Boraine
DETAILS OF NATIONAL THEATRE ACTIVITIES CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAMPAIGN:
Joburg Theatre – has adopted 3 schools, namely Ivory Park Secondary, Zechariah Park and Nkholi Primary Schools. Young professionals have been allocated to the schools in order to prepare each school for their showcase on the space.com stage at Joburg Theatre. After the showcase, the learners will watch a professional production on the Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre. 1000 children are expected to attend.
Soweto Theatre – will stage the production NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. About 800 learners are expected to watch the play which is part of their English prescribed plays set by the Department of Education. The learners will also receive a facilitated tour of the theatre. This is to educate the learners about the technical and administrative aspects of the theatre.
Roodepoort Theatre – will be hosting the National Eisteddfod Academy. This event sees children and youth between the ages of 5 and 18 come together to perform and watch shows on the theatre’s main stage. And estimated 3000 children are expected.
National School of the Arts: Festival of Fame’s productions of Dance Spectrum / Sweet Charity / Freedom Songs were all part of the campaign, and the festival reached hundreds of children and young people, including several charities.
National School of the Arts and Well Worn Theatre: On 20th March, an exclusive work-in-progress showing of Naomi Van Niekerk’s new sand animation and shadow piece ‘Kontinuum’ due to appear at this year’s KKNK in April will be presented to NSA Drama Department learners and their teachers.
Breytenbach Theatre: This fresh staging of Anthony Burgess’ dark tale, A Clockwork Orange, is presented by the Drama Programme of Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Drama and Film. It revisits the construct of individual free choice within ‘duality as the ultimate reality’ as examined in Burgess’ novel and Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film. The production is directed by lecturer Karina Lemmer and will be performed at the Breytenbach Theatre from 20 – 28 March 2014. On 25th March, TUT will give away 100 tickets to high school students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend the production.
Hillbrow Theatre Project & Adlib Productions: 244 children aged 2 – 6 are coming to the Hillbrow Theatre on the 20th of March for a special performance of Adlib productions, Pitterpat the Crazee Caterpillar
Hillbrow Theatre Project: The Donkey Child uses the story by acclaimed actor, writer and director Lindiwe Matshikiza as a starting point. It is a multidisciplinary theatre project in which several independent Johannesburg-based artists collaborate with children and young people associated with the Hillbrow Theatre Project and Keleketla! Library
National Children’s Theatre: The Astounding Antics of Anthony Ant by Professor Pieter Scholtz will be performed at no charge on 11:00 on 20 March 2014 for four very deserving organisations: Coronation Training Centre; Moffat View Home; Cavendish Primary; Abram Kriel. Each organisation will send 30 children and 4 minders.
SANCTA: Various companies within SANCTA, including Protea Stage Productions, will be hosting theatre for young audiences between April and July as part of the campaign. SANCTA will also hold a Mini-Festival in Rustenberg in April where they will be hosting numerous children from under-privileged background.
Sizwe Vilakazi’s Let’s Play Children’s Theatre is creating a performance for the end of March with 30 children for the community as part of the campaign. He uses theatre as an important tool to problem solve around the issues facing the community.
Kinderspiel Emmarentia: will be performing two performances at a 50% discount for children and families on the 18th and 20th of March. Tues, 18. March@ 15.30, ‘Dinosaurs & Fairywings’ with Handpuppets by Margaret Auerbach ; Thu, 20. March @ 15.30 ‘Ugly Duckling’ with Marionettes by Machteld van Nieuwkerk. For more information, contact 011 646 0870
Baxter Theatre: Thando Doni’s Passage will be part of the Take a Child to the Theatre Today campaign. This production deals with the question of what it means to be a good man in South Africa today, and is being played to numerous high school audiences.
Jungle Theatre and Baxter Theatre: presents A Dog’s Life at the Baxter and have booked schools from Fish Hoek, Kommetjie, and Bellville to twin with schools in Athlone, who would not otherwise be able to afford to see theatre.
Artscape Theatre: Magnet Theatre’s Tree/Boom/Umthi is a beautiful tale of a tree’s journey though the four seasons, created with support from ASSITEJ SA. It explores complex concepts relating to the relationship between humans, plants and animals are explained using very simple, poetic language, while the beautiful images, carefully chosen objects, sounds and song give this production the look and feel of a moving illustrated children’s book.
ASSITEJ SA and Magnet Theatre: The Remix Dance Education Project, a project between ASSITEJ SA and Remix Dance, will be showcased at the Magnet Theatre on 19 March 2014, for an audience of around 200 children and families who do not normally have access to the arts. The project is funded by the Rand Merchant Bank and by BASA.
ASSITEJ SA and Theatre Arts Admin Collective: The Observatory Family Festival runs from 20 – 24 March 2014, with some 11 productions, 3 for under 6, 3 for 7-12, 4 for over 12 and 1 site-specific work for all ages, as well as two staged readings for young audiences, and workshops and conversations with artists. Some free and reduced price tickets are available as well as bus subsidies for children and young people to see productions. For more information, go to the website: www.theatreartsadmincollective.weebly.com
Masque Theatre: The theatre is offering 80 tickets for underprivileged children to the dress rehearsal of Storytime 2 on 31 March 2014 at 11am. This production includes the take of Cinderella & The Frog Prince, told with a slight modern take: The script is hilarious and interactive and is suitable for ages 4 to ninety!!
Fugard Theatre: The Fugard is offering 20 free seats for children from Vrygrond to see the smash-hit musical, Blood Brothers, as adapted by David Kramer as part of the campaign.
Adi Paxton will be offering performances of Cherry the Clown and magical acts for children at the Land, Sea and Air Festival on the Durban Beachfront on 21st and 22nd of March as part of the campaign.
Think Theatre: Shakespeare’s Othello returns to the stage for further seasons in KZN and Gauteng this year and Think theatre will be offering some tickets to children and young people who would not be able to otherwise afford these as part of the campaign. The production is in association with the Playhouse Company, and is directed as in previous seasons by Clare Mortimer.
Arley’s Workshop: An environmental production called A Brave New World, is touring to schools across the province, sponsored by the National Arts Council and BASA, with specific school and community groups sponsored by the Goethe Institut, Independent Minds, and ABSA. The performance in Bethlehem on Friday 14th March will be dedicated to the campaign, and the company will be promoting the campaign at this performance.
There is still time for artists, theatre houses and companies to join the campaign.
