Youth Theatre
As a theatre space
The Youth Theatre was the fourth venue which opened at the Johannesburg Civic Theatre on 4 November 1992 with a production called Pure as the Driven Slush. Leonard Schach’s Baxter Theatre production of Beecham was staged here in 1993. Pieter Toerien brought James Sherman’s Beau Jest here in 1993. Tennesse Williams’ The Glass Menagerie was staged here in 1994. Bryan Schimmel and Ian von Memerty’s A Handful of Keys was staged here in 1994.
As a theatre company
There was a company known as Johannesburg Youth Theatre, in Parktown, Johannesburg. Founded and run by Joyce Levinsohn. The National Children's Theatre Trust (NCTT) formerly the Johannesburg Youth Theatre Trust was established in 1990 with Joyce Levinsohn as its Artistic Director. The NCT presents stage adaptations of classics, contemporary plays and educational theatre to the acclaim of critics and joy of audiences. Well-loved stories, fantastic characters, beautiful sets and costumes come together to bring the magic of theatre to thousands of children from all socio-economic backgrounds.
In 2004 the NCT reached over 3 million viewers during live performances and television appearances. The NCT is rooted in the belief that earlier experiences with the arts will have profoundly positive effects on the development of children and ultimately, their participation in the life of their communities.
The NCT's reputation is built on a history of staging a variety of classic children's literature, as well as teaching vital interactive life-skills through theatre-in-education programmes and theatre workshops.
The NCT has formed valuable partnerships with schools, various homes, and welfare organisations.
Sources
Tucker, 1997; http://www.jyt.co.za/about.htm
For more information
See also Youth theatre, Children's Theatre Incorporated and Johannesburg Civic Theatre,
See the National Children's Theatre website at http://www.jyt.co.za/about.htm
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