Issues Preventing the Fruition of South African Theatre for Young People (TYP)

Abstract

This article examines some core issues blocking the fruition of Theatre for Young People (TYP) (age group 13–18) in South Africa and theorises TYP as performance of a specific kind. The difficulties in funding, the schooling system, a lack of concern within the theatre industry and specific audience needs are highlighted to emphasise the importance of this kind of theatre. Without collaboration between the different government departments, funding agencies, schools, arts festivals and theatre practitioners, sustainable age-specific TYP will remain a pipe dream.

KEYWORDS:

• Arts and culture funding
• the school system
• job creation
• age-specific theatre
• theatrical event

Notes

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8 From my doctoral thesis, ‘'n Kritiese ondersoek na die stand van Afrikaanse professionele Jeugteater in Suid-Afrika na 1994,’ Dissertation, University of the Free State, 2007, http://etd.uovs.ac.za/cgi-bin/ETD-browse/view_etd?URN=etd-06252008-132304. The English translation of the thesis is ‘A critical investigation into the position of Theatre for Youth Audiences in South Africa.’

9 My doctoral research on Theatre for Youth Audiences determined that the changing political situation after 1994 in South Africa, the White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage (1994), plus the disbanding of the Provincial Arts Councils had a negative influence on the development, staging and maintaining of new mainstream productions for youth theatre audiences. I have produced and directed a number of Children's, TYA and Professional mainstream productions locally and nationally.

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