WELCOME to The
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WELCOME TO The INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES RESEARCH NETWORK’S (ITYARN) CONFERENCE AND ASSITEJ FOCUS DAYS Cradle of Creativity: Examining intercultural exchange and diversity in theatre for young audiences As part of the 19th ASSITEJ World Congress and International Theatre Festival for Children and Young People Cradle of Creativity: Examining intercultural exchange and diversity in theatre for young audiences, 16 – 27 May, 2017, Cape Town 1 ASSITEJ.indb 1 2017/04/28 10:21:10 AM Cradle of Creativity: Examining intercultural exchange and diversity in theatre for young audiences The title of the 19th ASSITEJ World Congress and Performing Arts Festival is the ‘Cradle of Creativity’, based in Africa for the first time in ASSITEJ history. Welcoming everyone back to their autochthonous home, the Cradle of Creativity will profile Africa’s theatre for children and youth, alongside performances from other continents. ASSITEJ was first created because of a desire for intercul- dignity, respect and self-worth among young people. tural collaboration during the period of the cold war. In the The conference seeks to provide a platform for theatre re- 21st century, this desire for collaboration across borders, searchers and artists to unravel the tension embedded in a languages, ethnicities and personal histories seems more theatre of “universal values” and a theatre that encapsulates urgent than ever. There is a critical need to address a com- “cultural heritage.” Is it possible for a contemporary theatre mon international trend that has seen the dehumanization for youth to enhance cultural literacy, dexterity and a deep of youth through different forms of identity oppression respect for the “other’? How apt then that the 2017 World and cultural devaluation within a context of extremism Congress is being held in South Africa, a country where this and conflict across the globe. Theatre for and by young tension between ‘universality’ and ‘diversity’ is celebrated audiences could play a significant role in helping restore and explored through theatre. Welcome message from • Roné Herbst, our efficient research assistant. Associate Professor • Rob Keith, our departmental superhero. Veronica Baxter and Ms • Claire Watling, our intrepid layout artist. Terri Elliott, University • The National Research Foundation for their gener- of Cape Town Drama ous funding. Department • Mark Figueiredo from Millway Travel. • Wits Drama for Life for co-convening the academic As co-convenors from the University of Cape Town Drama programme. Department, it is our great delight to welcome you to the Cradle of Creativity’s ITYARN conference and the • The UCT Drama Department. ASSITEJ Focus Days. We have an extraordinary academic programme for delegates, enriched with performances, We hope that you leave re-energised and ready to make workshops, panel discussions, conference papers, sympo- an impact in your own cities. Most importantly … we hope sia and more. that you have fun and grasp this amazing opportunity with arms wide open. Much has already been said about the festival and what to expect. We would now like to make mention of a few key people who have helped us in our organisational endeav- Terri and Veronica ours: 2 Cradle of Creativity: Examining intercultural exchange and diversity in theatre for young audiences, 16 – 27 May, 2017, Cape Town ASSITEJ.indb 2 2017/04/28 10:21:10 AM Message from Yvette Hardie – International President of ASSITEJ ASSITEJ South Africa is proud to provide the home for the biggest ITYARN conference yet to take place within the history of ASSITEJ, at the Cradle of Creativity. In association with two fine local institutions – the University of Cape Town’s Drama Department and the University of Witwatersrand’s Drama for Life programme - we believe that the ITYARN conference with its focus on intercultural exchange, will be a rich space for the development and sharing of new knowledge about theatre for young audi- ences across the globe. Yvette Hardie This conference brings academics, researchers, students have a two-day engagement which tackles the questions and artists into one space – to inspire new directions, to around intercultural , we also have a number of focus days examine results, to analyse trends and to posit new ways thereafter, allowing for a more in-depth and practical of thinking and acting within the field. We are extremely exploration of key areas which we believe are particularly grateful that the National Research Foundation has agreed important in our rapidly changing world and to the global to support African scholarship to be in attendance at Cradle south. These Focus days have been curated by our part- of Creativity, providing the potential for ITYARN’s member- ners, UCT, DFL and the networks of ASSITEJ, including IT- ship and research activities to be enhanced and expand- YARN, IIAN (International Inclusive Arts Network), Small Size ed across the continent of Africa. We hope to be able to (Theatre for the Early Years) and Write Local, Play Global. For provide energy to a generation of academics interested in the first time, we welcome practitioners and researchers this field within the context of Africa. At a time when “decol- around Dance Theatre for Young Audiences and Music The- onization” is a rallying cry within our tertiary institutions, we atre for Young Audiences, and look forward to the impetus believe that hosting an ITYARN conference within the frame these gatherings will give to ASSITEJ as a whole. of Cradle of Creativity allows for a new articulation of ideas around childhood, theatre practice, arts access and arts education, grounded in cultural contexts which have been Yvette Hardie; Member of the ITYARN for too long peripheral. board; Director of ASSITEJ An innovation of this Conference is the fact that while we Cradle of Creativity: Examining intercultural exchange and diversity in theatre for young audiences, 16 – 27 May, 2017, Cape Town 3 ASSITEJ.indb 3 2017/04/28 10:21:10 AM Welcome message from Prof Dr Geesche Wartemann With the conference, “Cradle of Creativity: Examining intercultural exchange and diversity in theatre for young audiences“ in Cape Town, South Africa, 16 -17 May 2017 the International Theatre for Young Audiences Research Network (ITYARN) gains its highlight of a twelve years expedition! With this greeting I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all who contribute to a successful encounter of experienced researchers as well as scholarly newcomers in the field of theatre for young audiences (TYA). The abstracts lying in Geesche Wartemann front of you illustrate a dazzling diversity of perspectives on the conference’s topic and of the presenters’ cultural and mailing list please push the “follow“ button on the website institutional contexts. Not just the growing number of pre- or send an e-mail to [email protected]. sentations, but also the more focused interest of this year’s conference is a meaningful development. South Africa is On behalf of the entire ITYARN Board I would like to thank known as a super-diverse nation. Cape Town will be an ASSITEJ South Africa, the University of Cape Town’s Drama exceptionally interesting place to analyze and discuss the Department and the University of Witwatersrand’s Drama chances and challenges of contemporary diversity for Life programme for all efforts, excellent organization and visionary spirit to make this conference happen! In the beginning, it was not easy to guess that ITYARN would spread and grow so much: For more information on ITYARN activities, on publications Geesche Wartemann and members of the current ITYARN Board please go to the website: https://ityarn.wordpress.com To join the ITYARN 4 Cradle of Creativity: Examining intercultural exchange and diversity in theatre for young audiences, 16 – 27 May, 2017, Cape Town ASSITEJ.indb 4 2017/04/28 10:21:10 AM Contents Cradle of Creativity: Examining intercultural exchange and diversity in theatre for young audiences Welcome message from Associate Professor Veronica Baxter and Ms Terri Elliott, University of Cape Town Drama Department Terri and Veronica ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 2 Message from Yvette Hardie – International President of ASSITEJ Yvette Hardie; Member of the ITYARN board; Director of ASSITEJ ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3 Welcome message from Prof Dr Geesche Wartemann Geesche Wartemann �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������4 ITYARN Conference ITYARN Conference Programme At A Glance CITY HALL ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22 Day One 16 May 2017 Session 1 City Hall Multidisciplinary theatre: Educational reform and cultural tolerance in Ghana and beyond Keynote Speaker: Dr� Ekua Ekumah ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������26 Day One 16 May 2017 Session 2 City Hall “Hodja from Denmark - Theatre for Children and Youth in Asylum Centres in Denmark” - A 3-year project that will bring performances and creative workshops to children and young people in 50 asylum centres in Denmark Lene Thiesen, Jon Kraaboel: