Theatre for Development

Theatre for development Theatre The Children’s Voice project is run by sixteen theatre organisations in Asia together with the Swedish Cen- Theatre for development tre of the ITI and is co-financed by Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. It is Experiences a regional project where cooperation locally within from an international theatre project in Asia countries, and regionally between countries, is boosted through exchanges and networking. “Children’s Voice” The project is operating between 2004 and 2009, initially embracing work with professional theatre groups in India and Bangladesh. In 2007 the project area was broadened to also include China, Vietnam and Laos. This anthology deals mainly with experiences from India and Bangladesh during the earlier part of the project, reflecting experiences from a variety of perspectives on professional theatre for children, theatre training with children, theatre in schools and in ChristinaEdited by Nygren teacher’s training. The voices of children represent the basis of the work with emphasis on children’s thoughts and views. Work focuses on development of an artistic theatre for children and youth, the ability of children and youth to work with creative forms of expression via drama at school and active efforts to reach vulnerable groups in society. Svensk Teaterunion – Swedish Centre of the ITI Edited by Christina Nygren ISBN: 978 91 977790 2 9 Svensk Teaterunion – Swedish Centre of the ITI Theatre for development Theatre for development Experiences from an international theatre project in Asia “Children’s Voice” Edited by Christina Nygren Svensk Teaterunion – Swedish Centre of the ITI Contents This book has been financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida. Sida does not necessarily share the views expressed in this material. Responsibility for its contents rests entirely with the author. Published by: Svensk Teaterunion/The Swedish Centre of the ITI (International Theatre Institute) Kaplansbacken 2 Introduction 9 SE-112 24 Stockholm, Sweden Christina Nygren Tel: +46 8 462 25 30 Fax: +46 8 462 25 35 THE CHILD IN FOCUS [email protected] www.teaterunionen.se Children – in the backyard of cultural policy 23 Ann Mari Engel The century of the toddler 28 Margareta Sörenson Does a child need art? © Svensk Teaterunion/The Swedish Centre of the ITI and Fragments of personal experiences shared at an Contributors advocacy seminar in Dhaka, Bangladesh 33 Graphic design: Göta Glemme, G-form Lisa Hugosson Cover Photo shows children taking part in a school theatre perform- Youngsters in the centre – children acting ance with Rupantar in Khulna, Bangladesh 2005. Photo: Rupantar. Photo on page 8 shows celebrations during a children’s summer camp in for children 41 Mysore. Photo: Rangayana. Cia Frode Translation into English and editing of language: Peter Hogan. Voices from children, parents, teachers and Except articles on pages 28–32 and pages 101–107 which were translated by Anne-Charlotte Hanes Harvey and excerpted directly from authorities in Bangladesh and India 46 an earlier publication. Why support children’s theatre? – Investing in the future 59 Printed by: Kristianstads Boktryckeri AB, Kristianstad, 2009. Printed on FSC-certified environmentally friendly paper Emma Jansson THEATRE IN SCHOOL Children’s Voice in Asia – let children be heard throughout the world. 69 ISBN: 978 91 977790 2 9 A teacher’s perspective Anders Linderoth Education for culture of peace 75 “My journey with the Children’s Voice project Swapan Guha changed my perception of theatre as a whole” 146 Theatre sensitisation for teachers (TST) – spreading Sohini Sengupta awareness of dramatic art to those who teach 82 “This conceptual clarity and willingness is our H.S. Umesha pride, our gain...” 151 Opening new worlds – a guide to visiting theatres Reflections from three actresses in Khulna, with school children. 91 Bangladesh, on their five year’s work with Excerpts from a manual for teachers and Children’s Voice other adults at school Tuku Biswas, Namita Mallick, Akhtarunnessa Nisha Karin Helander All God’s ‘chillun’ need wings – in search of children’s theatre. 160 METHODS OF TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE Nandikar’s history and vision told The “Tittut method” 101 by Rudraprasad Sengupta Margareta Sörenson Rudraprasad Sengupta and Syamal Bhattacharyya Where stage and audience meet. Keys to theatre Children’s theatre as a tool for development 172 – with drama as method 108 Karin Markensten Jeanette Roos APPENDIX YESSS! – On children, art and profitability 117 Bernt Höglund Collaborators in the Children’s Voice project 181 How to bring children’s voices to the fore through Swedish professionals involved in drama in education and theatre. 122 the Children’s Voice project 2004–2009 185 Diary from a workshop in Bangladesh. Literature and further reading 186 Åsa Ekberg Kentros and Nina Kjällquist A dramatic workshop on writing theatre for children in South India 129 Lena Fridell and Zac O’Yeah GAINS AND BENEFITS AT PRESENT AND FOR THE FUTURE Theatre for underprivileged children – a perspective from Bangladesh 137 Liaquat Ali Lucky Introduction Christina Nygren This book is about theatre for children and with children. All writ- ers have experience of theatre and of working with children in various ways and contexts. And they have all, in different aspects, taken part in the international project Children’s Voice, which is what this book is about. Children’s Voice is run by sixteen theatre organisations in Asia together with the Swedish Centre of ITI (International Theatre Insti- tute). The project is co-financed by Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The articles reflect experiences from the project from a variety of perspectives, but also convey a perspective of theatre for and with children that all the contributors have with them from their professional activities in the field of theatre for children. The Children’s Voice Project The project “Children’s Voice” is characterised by an awareness that children are our future. All individuals that have taking part in the project work have frequently returned to this understanding. One way of truly reaching the target of creating a better future, is to engage the capacity and creativity of children at an early stage, and increasingly add further strength to their self-confidence and belief in the future by listening to their voices. Since the start in 2004 the Children’s Voice project has been operating in India and Bangladesh in a project originally designed and planned to run over a period of five years. Main project partners in India have been Nandikar in Kolkata and Rangakishora/Ran- gayana in Mysore. In Bangladesh, Rakhal in Dhaka and Rupantar in Khulna have been the main partners. In 2007 the project expanded to China, Vietnam and Laos with a project plan limited to three years. Project partners in China 9 include Shanxi Drama Vocational College and Shanxi Modern This publication deals mainly with the terminated project in In- Drama Theatre in Taiyuan, and the Children’s Art Troupe/Kun- dia and Bangladesh. ming National Song and Dance Ensemble in Kunming. Further associated collaborators in Beijing, the Chinese Theatre Associa- Stakeholders involved in the project tion, also serves as coordinator for China, and the Central Academy Originally four main groups of stakeholders in relation to the of Drama. In Vietnam the project collaborators are Vietnam Youth project were emphasised by the theatre organisations in India and Theatre in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City Drama Theatre and Small Bangladesh, who are owners of the project. stage Drama Theatre in Ho Chi Minh City. In Laos three theatre Children – for recognising democracy, gender and social equal- groups, Kabong Lao, Tuk Kata and Lakon Vao are collaborating in ity, supporting cheerful creativity, helping to realise their rights, Children’s Voice together with Vulnerable Lao Youth Development finding their centre, finding their uniqueness and persona stressing Association (VYDA), that also acts as coordinator for Laos. mutuality and togetherness The project involves long-term joint work, originally with the Community – to build a healthy society, improve community four theatre organisations in India and Bangladesh, plus shorter term living, better environment for children, removal of bias. collaboration and selective measures with Swedish professionals in- Educators – in order to ensure children’s rights, cheerful teach- volved in children’s theatre. A focus on democracy and popular par- ing and better communication, working for a peaceful environ- ticipation, children’s rights, gender equality and environment issues ment, mental satisfaction, development of a better relationship be- as well as working from the perspective of under-privileged people tween student and school system. have been present, and specific activities for this have been regu- Theatre community – to help capacity enhancement, find new larly launched. Collaboration with schools has increased during the directions of work, improve financial situation, opportunity to wit- project period and strong efforts have been made to develop school ness good theatre productions, achievement of an improved status theatre education. of children’s theatre. Theatre and dance as a useful platform for communication Theatre and dance combined with music and poetry are strongly established in South Asia, as well as in South East Asia, and consti- tute a significant platform for social, spiritual and political communication. However, the performances are generally aimed at adults. The rights, wishes and needs of children are very much ne- glected. In the few cases where a performance is aimed at children, the tendency is to emphasise a dogmatic view of them as “small adults” rather than conveying their right to self-esteem, creativity and equality. With the big potential existing in the traditional high esteem of theatre and dance in the region – but where children were not regarded as a specific target group – ITI and the project partners have seen great opportunities for developing good theatre activities for children and young people.

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