Why theatre for young audiences?
ASSITEJ SA believes that every child and young person in our country deserves access to the arts, and especially to live theatre, from the earliest possible age. Theatre is a transformational force in the lives of young people, inspiring imaginations, shifting perceptions, teaching empathy and building our nation.
Our Team
ASSITEJ South Africa has a diverse, passionate and skilled staff working from all provinces of South Africa.
Our Volunteers and Interns
ASSITEJ works with local and international interns and volunteers.
Our Ambassadors
ASSITEJ SA has been endorsed and supported by many leaders – within the arts and across society.
Our Story
ASSITEJ was established on 10 May 1965 by a global alliance of organisations and individuals involved in the promotion of theatre for children and young people. The ASSITEJ International archives are located in Frankfurt, Germany, the Secretariat is now in Copenhagen, Denmark, and ASSITEJ is present in more than 100 countries.
ASSITEJ South Africa was launched as a national association on 2 July 2007 at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
Since then, it has grown tremendously, playing host to the 19th ASSITEJ World Congress and International Theatre Festival for Children and Young People, held in Cape Town, South Africa in May 2017 – the first and only time this major ASSITEJ event has been held in Africa.
Past Productions
Our Partners
ASSITEJ SA has always made its projects and programmes happen through the nurturing of partnerships. Find out more about our amazing partners, funders and supporters here.
Our Members
Members include: individuals such as actors, musicians, dancers, directors, choreographers, theatre educators, stage designers, dramatists, critics, cultural journalists, researchers and cultural officers, as well as organisations, such as theatre companies, NGOs, institutions, amateur drama groups, societies, schools, crèches, and other networks.
Resources
Theatre4Youth Catalogue
Reflecting the dynamic nature of theatre for young audiences in SA. View online catalogue here.
Stimela Sendaba – The Story Train
A series of stories in all of South Africa’s languages, with educational materials, for viewing on YouTube, or live on Facebook. View here.
Cultural Policy for Arts Education
African-European Practises and Perspectives by Wolfgang Schneider, Yvette Hardie, Emily Akuno, and Daniel Gad (Volume Editors). Edited Collection 322 Pages. Download here.
Publications
The Ogreling written by Suzanne Lebeau (French), translated in English and translated into isiXhosa by Sindiwe Magona
Dipalo by Lalu Mokuku and Ginni Manning
Diversity, Representation and Culture in TYA edited by Manon van de Water
Our Annual Reports
Our Policies & Protocols
Our Dedicated Partners
Thank you to all our partners, supporters, funders and friends.
