Youth Performii{G Arts in Australia
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
YOUTH PERFORMII{G ARTS IN AUSTRALIA .i.:::tr :.|.tfuta:l :j a :!.1:l;- .. :i. ' :a::1:.1 | i;:i' t&:''+# ':::!$i;.-, t """'' : ::: . ,, .::: . , l:: .: , C WHO, HOW & WHY * LYON, SIBENIK, SADO ISLAND AND LgIUA CIIILDREN'S FESTIVALS g CFIITA'S T*{€ATRE FOR YOUNG PEOP!.E SPECIAI'C LU ES' SUPP LEMENT o P&ClFlC Dance in education companies EXC}IANGE PAPERS - a ADFLAIDE'87 Adelaide Festival and Fringe youth programs *sruGHEgs o Pedh and Sydney Festival reviews REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST PUBLICATION No. SBH 2433 ISBN O158-O99X fusociolion lnternotionole du Theotre pour l'Enfonce et lo Jeunesse lnternotionol fusociotion of Theotre for Children ond Young People It's importarrt, it's particular and it will be here in April L987 ASSITEJ is the acronym for the Association at the future of that organisation. Internationale du Theatre pour I'Enfance et la Its main objective is for the world-wide Jeunesse (or the International Association of promotion and development of professional Theatre for Children and Young People). theatre for young people. It was founded in 1965. It is a Category C of It currently numbers 43 member countries UNESCO (= acknowledged but no financial and is actively seking to extend this support). Its attempts to become a Category B (= membership. Two countries of particular acknowledged and financial support) are in interest to Australia which may become abeyance due to the withdrawl of the U.S.A. members in the next year or so are China and from UNESCO and the subsequent uncertainty India. How does it operate? World; planning and finance the Executive Committee in * There is a 17 country/member including single projects that 1986 based on recommenda- Executive Committee including ASSITEJ may undertake. tions from Australia. (Attach- Australia, since 1981 * ment B). The Executive meets There is a secretariat currently * It is practice, but not obligatory, in different countries every year based in Paris which directs the to coincide the Congress with a to deal with general business, organisation. performance festival. It may be receive and discuss reports * national, international, a from member countries and to Initially every two years and combination of both, or not at pursue through commissions latterly every three years there all. Such a decision is entirely (working parties) themes and is a World Congress and up to the host country. The 1984 issues relevant to the moment. General Assembly. Any country Congress in Moscow was with Currently and up to the 1987 may bid for the Congress which an all-Russia Festival, the 1981 Congress the main theme under is decided by vote of the General Congress in Lyon was a discussion is "Towards the Assembly. All member combination of national and New Theatre" i.e. why and how countries attend the Congress international companies. The theatre for young people should to elect the Executive intention for 1987 is to have a deal with the current problems Committee for the next three limited number of perhaps five and needs of young people, the years, deal with particular international companies from competition and interest of business and discuss through our near neighbours whose other-than theatre activities, plenary and group sessions, work is relevant and cultural developments, and life themes of importance and contemporary and will enhance and living, including techno- significance. All dealings are and reinforce the distinctive, logy, in the late 20th century conducted in the three official different and seldom-seen by and beyond. languages of English, French the world work in Australia. Other issues under discus- and Russian. The 1984 sion include: Liaison with Congress was in Moscow. The countries in Asia (responsibility 1987 Congress will be in * In this connection any country of Japan), Africa (responsibility Adelaide and will discuss in any year may apply to of Portugal) and Latin America particulars of the "Towards the ASSITEJ for the designation (responsibility of Spain); New Theatre" theme. These ASSITEJ Theatres of the refinement of Theatres of the particulars will be decided by World. The Executive 35 Associotion lnternqtionole du Theotre pour l'Enfonce et lo Jeunesse lnternotionol Associotion of Theotre for Children ond Young People Committee decides on this designation on the basis of the ASSITEI Theatres of the World intended festival offering at least 10 professional produc- Lyon, June L987 tions representing at least 3 continents and five different ASSITEJ has awarded the title perhaps playwrights), especially countries, seminars and 'Theatres of the World' to Lyon. from countries where it is difficult debates, national and interna- This is on the basis of the Festival to work e.g. Africa, and for them tional criticism, and with the program offering at least ten pro- to work with French companies in necessary financial, adminis- fessional productions representing the presentation of a piece. trative and managerial ability at least three continents and five o to support new playwrights to organise such a festival. The different countries. (three French, three other) in 1987 ASSITEJ Theatres of the At the Executive Committee staged readings of new work with World Festival will be in Lyon meeting in Sibenik in June, 1985, the possibility of publishing them. in June. Michel Dieuaide of the Lyon Fes- o to extend the number of national tival drew attention to their fol- and especially international critics Why Australia and lowing proposals for 1987: and journalists at the Festival. ASSITE ? o to increase the proportion of For further information contact: * It allows the opportunity for original and premiered produc- Australia to be involved in a tions. In 1985 three French com- Theatre des Jeunes Annees world-wide organisation panies presented new work. In 23 Rue de Bourgogne dealing with the development of 1987 three French companies and 69009 young people's theatre. t h ree ot her compan ies are Lyon proposed. France * It provides an outlet for o to invite foreign directors (and Tek (7) 86,4.14.24 Australia to promote itself, its product and its ideas. rtenabresAustrariatohavean ASSITEI NatiOffal il'llrru: Tg"!: T,ffflf"T ments. InformationLlIl-\-tI I and Reso'rce * It facilitates the breaking-down In the Youth Performing Arts In most countries ASSITEJ is of some of the disadvantages of Library at Carclew, as well as the best initial and official con- cultural isolation. the ASSITEJ offices, there is a tact. National representatives are volume of material from many very helpful and supportive. Why Australia and the ASSITEJ member countries. They can often open doors and 1987 Congress? make contact more speedily than These include magazines and most lines of * It is a significant distinction for periodicals, reports, notification other official communication. Australia to gain by vote the of festivals, special events and so Anyone doubt as the first-ever Congress in the on. There are also publicity folios in to Southern Hemisphere. from a number of individual standing and/or credibility of companies in countries. any international festival, com- different pany * It will allow the opportunity for or organisation should con- All this material is in the pro- tact Michael. the world to see our work first- cess of being catalogued. Once the ASSITEJ is concerned at the hand and engage in this is done, up-dated lists will and growing number of groups which Australian situation be circulated through I-owdown, experience. present themselves as of nationaV occasional mail-outs and other international standing, import- appropriate sources. It will also * allow Australians the ance and standard when this is It will be available on request. opportunity to meet and discuss not so. A quick check can easily with world colleagues. Any individual or group intend- be made. ing to travel overseas is advised It is Michael's intention to * It will re-inforce the opinion to contact Michael FitzGerald visit each major centre in held by many that our work is of well in advance of a proposed Australia during the first part of a world standard and has much trip. Michael has already made 1986 to meet with young peo- to offer to other countries. contact with a large number of ple's theatre groups, to discuss ASSITEJ representatives, as well the 1987 Congress and exchange * It will be both a focus and an as a host of directors, writers, information. These meetings will impetus of future importance to artists, dramaturgs, company be set up well in advance to the young people's theatre representatives and so on from allow for early notice and maxi- movement in Australia. many countries. mum particiation. 36 Associotion lnternotionole du Theotre pour l'Enfonce et lo Jeunesse lnternotionol Asociotion of Theotre for Children ond young people Speakers tell of Pacific conditions As a component of the first all Japan the- prese,nt social conditions and problems Performing Arts Festival for Young facing children in their countries of origin, and Audiences, held on Sado Island in August the current state of development and role of 1985, international delegates were invited to theatre for young people as it can contribute address a Symposium. to children's growth. The grridelines for these brief papers The following pages are edited from some required speakers to inform participhnts of of the papers presented: China heroes and heroines of the theatre ground you cannot expect any cul- have become models and examples tural activities to be shared by the An outline of the Chinese for them to follow. students. Children's Theatre, by Madam Three hundred million youngs- If you go to any school with the Luo Ying ters and children comprise one good intentions of showing a free Madam Luo Ying, Head of third of Chinese population. performance to students, the prin- Children's Art and Culture of the We, the workers of youngsters' cipal of the school would probably Ministry of Culture in China and children's culture and arts, say; "No thanks.