First Day at the ITYARN Conference

The first day of the ITYARN (International Theatre for Young Audiences Research Network) Conference, held in Cape Town’s City Hall, brought together delegates from the Cradle of Creativity who were interested in sharing and learning...

“Never Stop Playing” at the ITYARN Conference

“It is our duty to help the children, they should grow seeing everybody in similar situations. This is our duty!” - Sindiwe Magona Sindiwe Magona, a South African Children’s Writer and Translator, shared her inspirational and motivating...

Exploring Techniques and Practices from the IDIERI 9 Workshops (Part 5)

Delegates at the 9th International Drama in Education Research Institute were treated to an abundance of exciting and engaging practical workshops during the 7-day event. To give you a flavour of what was on offer, the Dialogue team...

Interviewing Nwabisa Plaatjie

Nwabisa Plaatjie was not on the Full-Time Training Programme, but joined Magnet Theatre on their Theatre Making internship programme. Here she shares some of her experiences: NP: My name is Nwabisa Plaatjie. I’m from Ugie, Eastern...

Kelly Freebody: Distance through critique: Moving beyond the ‘common-sense’ of drama for social change

This paper urges us to use a critical lens to distance ourselves from common-sense understandings of what we do and why. It unpacks key logics in our field – including participation, community, social justice,...

A Conversation with Pim & Theo

Pim & Theo, a production by New International Encounter & Odsherred Teater, was an experience I will never forget. The immersive complexity of the show was on display throughout - from the scenography, script,...

Festivals and Diversity

Dr Steve Ball, the Associate Director for The Birmingham Repertory Theatre (UK), facilitated a session on the first day of the Producers' Bazaar at ASSITEJ's Cradle of Creativity. He asked attendees to consider: How can...

Performing for Babies

During the Focus Day on Theatre for the Early Years, Paweł Gałkowski presented a paper, that was co-authored with Alicja Morawska-Rubczak, entitled “Baby and contemporary dance. Feedback of creativity between adults and children”. Paweł Gałkowski...

Finding Commonality through Formal Pitches

It seems more important than ever for all involved in the Community Performance field to come together and share their ideas and experiences. Therefore, I was really excited when Monday, 22nd May, 2017 saw...

‘Animal Farm’ – Audience Reactions

After watching a Performance of Johannesburg, South Africa’s Shakexperience’s adaption of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, directed by Neil Coppen, I asked Schoolchildren and their Teachers for their reactions to the piece. The wealth of...