It is through disciplines of musical theater including acting, dance or movement, music and also Movie Theater requiring children characters that the art of Children Theater came about. With this put into consideration there arise the pros and cons of Children Theater. One may argue that children don’t have to necessarily participate in theater for money but to use their talent and also learn about other aspects of life.
It is then very necessary to study this area of Children Theater and its importance to children, adults and the society at large. Young people often don’t understand what adults may be up to, they see the world in their own way. This may explain why sometimes they break down when they fail. Some of them commit suicide because they don’t seem to see exit routes from their issues.
According to (Rohd 131), Theater creates a chance for the youth to open up and explore their thoughts and also offers a better place for them to discuss their views without fear of ridicule. This is a milestone in solving problems associated with young people because it provides them with an avenue of expressing their views.
This also gives adults the chance to receive the message and then look for ways of dealing with the issues as well as creating harmonious coexistence. This means that Children Theater involves both the children and the adults creating a channel of communication.
According to (Boal 6) Adults participating in theater may act as source of inspiration to their children. It indicates that some aspects of life including oppression may be shown as it is in reality and more importantly, it could be. Being thespians may be a great idea in life.
People argue that theater is an imitation of the real world and that it should be disregarded. But logically or rationally thinking, imitation isn’t that bad after all. Imitation essential is copying or making something resemble another as much as possible. Thus theater cannot be thrashed away since it makes it possible to express ideas which may not be aired expressly.
A child in the theater games will find it easier to run up and down with others other than when secluded in a confined environment on their own. More often than not, theater activities give rise to other new ideas that are tried each time. Take for instance a lesson in class to explain how a person may gaffe while attending an interview. It could be learnt better on how to avoid it through theater. Persons learn better when they get in to contact with the real environment.
In fact experience is gained through direct interaction with the environment. If this is done in theater, the children may be able to imitate the real situation as well as try to intuitively express the actual actions that may happen. In fact new play lines may be added to the play script. This way what the child will learn in that scene will forever impact their lives even when they become adults or are released to the labor market. The actual implication is that Children Theater is positive for both children and the adults.
Art will probably lead the children to developing life long careers which through theater may be realized. Take for instance a play that involves different kinds of people like the local politician or even a village elder. Through acting as one of the administrators a child may realize the passion he/she has towards local administration and hence try to find out more of what to learn so as to achieve that dream.
Again through intuition and instinct a child may realize what they can do passionately which is their talent. It must not necessarily be in the field of theater but other areas. If a child participates as a soldier in theater, they may like the role and play it perfectly well. This may in turn translate to the child becoming a soldier later on in life and liking it and enjoying the job.
This is directly linked to children and adults. Theater may also be a bad influence in this manner pegged mainly on the role the child plays. Take for instance a person who drinks so much alcohol and is branded the village fool. If the child may not realize he/she is acting perhaps to display the dark side of alcohol may end up being a drunk. Therefore, Child Theater should be handled carefully in this case. Adult life may so much depend on the childhood experiences.
Starting early, make a good professional in theater, “actors must always work on their bodies to get to know them better and to make them more expressive” (Boal 18). Boal illustrates that through exercise and maximum concentration the actor should be able to express him/herself fully. If a field in theater in adulthood is considered by the children involved in theater then it is better to start early. In most cases adults are perplexed by the children performing complex moves while singing.
This improves coordination of the body, which is psycho motor development. The adults on the other hand are satisfied with the wellbeing of their children. There is nothing as interesting as parents watching their children perform complex moves that the old cannot. The parents are usually so proud when their children are fast in thinking and acting. Children also enjoy most of the activities offered in theater.
Researchers have travelled all over the world to learn about Children Theater and theater in general. Erven indicates the outcome of research done in Africa specifically Kenya, “we travelled three hours to the northeast to encounter a youth theatre group in rural Meru province, a theatre for development dance performance about alcoholism” (Erven 168).
This shows that research on theater and its effect to society has been done and is going on worldwide. It also indicates how societal norms are integrated into theater. Theater in this case is being used as a tool of communication to discourage the abuse of alcohol and drugs in the region. In this case theater is of more benefit to the adults as opposed to the children.
If one appreciates theater, he/she will realize that Children Theater improves children’s creativity. In a play when emotions are high, the given lines may not necessarily be followed. At this instance the parties will come with new ideas and make sure that the flow of the play is maintained. This is where creativity is experienced and in most cases it comes out naturally even after reciting the whole script.
Entertainment is another fact that both the children and adults get from theater in general. “Many children, young people, and adults can enjoy the experience of dramatic art within the confines of the workshop environment without the need or desire to extend that experience into public performance” (McCaslin 241). Even without public performance the parties can be able to enjoy, keep themselves busy and avoid unnecessary strives of life.
Theater was educative and led to expression of the populace’s idea on oppression by their leaders. In fact (Salhi 53) describes it as “generally of checking government by focusing on abuse of power, corruption and inefficiency.
Political authorities on their part were suspicious, if not resentful, of revolutionary theater”. Children as well as adults in theater can be able to express their view about the politics of a country. Through theater people have revolted against governments and consequently brought about change in leadership in such countries.
In conclusion, Children Theater and theater in general adds value and a sense of meaning to life as it educates, entertains and instills morals as well as display was of eliminating vices in the society. Therefore, if we are trying to deal with the question of differences that might be found between theater for the adults and for the young audiences, we should accept the view of audience different principle will remain the same” (Schonmann 12).
It is clear that despite the differences in Children Theater and adult theater are both beneficial to both groups either directly or indirectly. It is also clear that theater is very essential for the general development of the community since it educates, encourages and also discourages.
Works Cited
Boal, Augusto. Games for Actors and Non-Actors. London: Routledge, 2002. Print.
Erven, Eugene Van. Community Theatre: Global Perspectives. London: Routledge, 2001. Print.
McCaslin, Nellie. Children and drama. Virginia: University Press of America, 1985. Print.
Rohd, Michael. Theatre for community, conflict & dialogue: the Hope is Vital training manual. Michigan: Heinemann, 1998. Print.
Salhi, Kamal. African Theatre for Development: Art for Self-Determination. Bristol Bs99 UK: Intellect Books, 1998. Print.
Schonmann, Shifra. Theatre As a Medium for Children And Young People:Images And Observations. Dordrecht: Springer, 2006. Print.
Spolin Viola. Theater games for the classroom: a teacher’s handbook. Evanstone, IL: Northwestern University Press, 1986. Print.