The Cradle of Creativity festival is raising the curtain on a stellar line-up of fun youth theatre experiences at The Market Theatre from 20 to 27 August 2023.
The festival is held annually and brings together the best-performing arts from different countries across the globe for children and young people. This year’s theme ‘The Stories That Move Us’ will build a rich legacy of diversity, creativity & opportunity that will continue to generate energy and activity long after the final curtain call.
On the programme are unforgettable encounters, theatre shows, panel discussions, workshops, and programmes aimed at teachers and tutors.
‘This will be a Cradle of Creativity festival to savour and enjoy. We are delighted to bring the festival to Gauteng for the first time where we hope new audiences and artists will be attracted to participate in and access the performing arts for children and young people. We encourage families, schools and community groups to engage with the festival and ensure that South African children realise the power of their imaginations to make positive change happen,’ comments Yvette Hardie, Director of ASSITEJ SA.
A roundup of the best children and youth theatre productions across the globe
Cradle of Creativity enlisted one of the foremost young female curators of our time, Faye Kabali Kagwa to guide the experience.
‘This festival continues to take seriously our youngest citizens and engage them in a creative way, while being an exciting platform for artists from South Africa, the continent and the world,’ says Kabali-Kagwa. Escape the winter blues and enter a heart-warming world of storytelling and imagination with a series of uplifting live performances that showcase our rich local arts and culture.
There are performances from all provinces on the roster that speaks to children from as young as 2 to young adults. Some of the must-see South African productions from youth voices to professional theatre companies include ‘Skin We Are In’, an engaging adaption from the Kwasha Theatre Company on the evolution of human skin.
Gcebile Dlamini’s ‘Stories We See’ features Abled kids using sound to communicate with visually impaired youth from the Johannesburg Society for The Blind.
The musical extravaganza, ‘Mwana wa Mvula’ by Kimberley’s Amandla Dance Teatro ZA is just one of the many bold voices that makes up the festival programme on the local front.
From abroad, a sharp selection of planned theatre works are from the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Rwanda; Mexico, and Pakistan.
Performances run at The Market Theatre in Newtown, Windybrow Arts Centre in Doornfontein, Sibikwa Arts Centre in Benoni and the National Children’s Theatre in Parktown as well as at selected schools and community centres.
Unique and educational resources for young and old
This year’s Cradle of Creativity lineup also includes a host of workshops, panel discussions and presentations aimed at artists, teachers, and subject advisors.
The Young Critics Programme is brand new addition that sees youth voices reviewing and critiquing productions, using a variety of styles and Media.
Cost: From R70pp to R150pp, book online
When: 20 to 27 August 2023. Various times
Where: Performances run at The Market Theatre in Newtown, Windybrow Arts Centre in Doornfontein, Sibikwa Arts Centre in Benoni and the National Children’s Theatre in Parktown as well as at selected schools and community centres
Tel: 061 371 4342
Email: [email protected]
Website: assitej2017.org.za/cradle-festival-programme-2023
Instagram: @assitej_za
Facebook: @ASSITEJSouthAfrica
