(Yvette Hardie, global
President of the association, and also the national director of ASSITEJ SA)
Theatre leaves an indelible impression on a child, awakening
awareness of the world and of other people's realities. All children have a
right to arts
ASSITEJ (French acronym - Association Internationale du Théatre
pour L´Enfance et la Jeunesse) is the only association of its kind connecting
thousands of theatre makers, artists, educators and producers dedicated to
theatre for children across the world.
ASSITEJ has members in over 100 countries across the globe,
including 80 National Centers. On March 20, the global campaign
#takeachildtothetheatre advocates for the cultural entitlement of children to
have access to spaces for creative play, performance, theatre and expression.
March 20 is ASSITEJ World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People.
Yvette Hardie, both the global President of the association,
serving her third term in this position, and also the national director of
ASSITEJ South Africa, wrote a World Day message to conscientise people to the
importance of this campaign. She says, "The rough magic that can transform
a dusty playground, or a township hall, a school classroom, or a refugee
compound, is often what is most needed – not just because it is more practical
and economical to meet children in their everyday circumstances, but also, more
profoundly, because it IS magic." She was joined by two extraordinary
practitioners this year - one from Syria and one from the USA - who have added
their voices to the campaign.
Mohamad al Jounde is 17, from Syria, and won the 2017
International Children’s Right Prize for having created a school for refugee
children in Lebanon. He says: "Theater still one of the best ways to
express yourself and a mirror to show people what’s good and wrong in our
world. The stage is a space where you can create your own world; where you can
feel your dreams coming to life."
Beloved children's author from the USA, and the creator of Pigeon Drives the Bus, among other
classics, Mo Willems says: "When you’re snuggled in your seats and the
curtain rises, know that you’ll see more than just a show; you will experience
a new, special connection with a child who is special to you. Oh, and that kid
will probably have fun, too."
In South Africa, there are many children and young people
who do not have access to theatre especially made for them. This is a gap into
which ASSITEJ SA has stepped with great energy and passion over the last years.
Their project Theatre4Youth (found at
www.theatre4youth.co.za) aims to make theatre more accessible to schools, for
artists to have a sense of what other artists are making, and to be able to
research the schools who are interested in receiving work. However, many of
these theatre companies do not have funding to take their work to schools,
despite having performance-ready pieces, as many schools cannot afford to pay them.
ASSITEJ SA is aiming to select several productions from the website and to
support these to perform for needy audiences, through a Thundafund campaign,
which is found here: www.thundafund.com/project/takeachildtothetheatre2018
Donate to this worthy cause and ensure that children and
young people get access to powerful, imaginative and creative experiences!
As part of the campaign, ASSITEJ SA also encourages all its
members and partners to contribute in whatever ways they are able.
So far the following artists and organisations who have
stepped up to the challenge include Think Theatre from Durban who will support Spec
Nova Special School, Inanda Seminary and Bonella Secondary.
For further information about the global campaign,
interviews or images contact François Fogel, Chair of Communications on +33
660445059 or e-mail francois@scenesdenfance-assitej.fr or
Louis Valente, Secretary General at assitejsg@gmail.com
For further information about the South African campaign,
contact Yvette Hardie, Director, at director@assitej.org.za
or visit http://www.assitej.org.za or
follow on:
www.facebook.com/ASSITEJSouthAfrica/
https://twitter.com/ASSITEJ_ZA
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