Children's Theatre ( Kinderteater or Kindertoneel in Afrikaans) is normally used to refer to to all matters pertaining to theatre for children or theatre by children.

General concept

Theatre for children

Children's theatre (also referred to as theatre for children or Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA)) is a branch of theatre arts that encompasses all forms of theatre that are attended by or created for younger audiences. It blankets many different forms of theatre methods and expressions, including plays, dance, music, puppetry, circus, physical theatre, and many others. It is globally practiced, takes many forms, both traditional and non-traditional, and explores a wide variety of themes ranging from fairy tales to parental abuse.

Theatre by children

Children's theatre can also refer to theatre performed by children (sometimes referred to as youth theatre). Typically, this refers to a group or several groups of young people who come together regularly to participate in theatre/drama and performing arts related activities. These groups are led and/or facilitated by experienced/trained staff (paid or voluntary). Youth Theatre is a local activity rooted in the community and facilitates the creative interaction of young people.

Children's theatre in South Africa

For more information, see the article Children's theatre in South Africa.

Companies in South Africa

There have been a number of theatre companies and organisations in South Africa over the years using the name "Children's Theatre". Some of these include:

Children's Theatre Club, Cape Town (1940-?)
Children's Theatre Incorporated, Johannesburg (known as The Children's Theatre or simply as Children's Theatre) (1943-1965)
The Children’s Theatre, East London (1954)
Nasionale Kinderteater (1968)
Children's Theatre Productions (1976-1990)
National Children's Theatre (1990-)

For a comprehensive list of theatre companies productions theatre for children, see Children's theatre in South Africa.

Sources

Greyvenstein, Walter 1988a. The history and development of children's theatre in English in South Africa. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Johannesburg: Rand Afrikaans University.

Greyvenstein, Walter 1988b. Why not play in the classroom? Lyra Academica, 3(2):50-62.

Greyvenstein, Walter 1989a. Children's theatre in South Africa. Part I. Lantern, 38(2):17-24.

Greyvenstein, Walter 1989b Children's theatre in South Africa. Part II. Lantern, 38(3):28-35.

Greyvenstein, Walter 1989c. Let us entertain you! children’s theatre and popular entertainment. South African Theatre Journal, 3(2):51-68.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_for_Young_Audiences#cite_note-:0-1

https://www.nayt.org.uk/what-is-youth-theatre

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