Let’s make a play

The Lanka Children’s and Youth Theatre Foundation (LCYTF) popularly known as Play House-Kotte commences its latest programme for children ‘Let’s Make a Play’ (a drama workshop through which children create a play at the end of the programme) during the school vacation in August 2012.

Drama, by its very nature, requires that the child be put into circumstances ­ physically, mentally and emotionally ­ that are outside their understanding of how things should be. This helps them to grow as a person. By encouraging drama for children, the children obtain some enormous personal benefits that will stay with them long into adulthood.

So, ‘Let’s Make a Play’ programme would certainly be a different and fulfilling way for your child to spend his or her school vacation in August.

Lanka Children’s and Youth Theatre Foundation was founded by Somalatha Subasinghe, the veteran playwright, actress and theatre director, in 1981 to promote theatre productions and performances specifically for children and youth, training of actors, and research on theatre studies.

This organisation presently is the top most institution for children’s and youth theatre productions in Sri Lanka. Since 1981, the organisation has produced a repertoire of mainly musical theatre for children and youth and mainstream art theatre productions which were performed in the island as well as abroad. This institution was incorporated by Act of Parliament No. 3 of 2007 in January 2007.

 Children from ages seven to 15 can take part in the programme. The programme gives the child the opportunity to learn and enjoy the basic elements in drama and theatre such as acting, script writing, directing, making music, making costumes, making stage sets and properties, etc., using available resources.   

The prime objective of the programme is to develop mental and physical aspects and to enhance artistic taste, cheerfulness and playful sense of the child through drama and theatre.  The programme provides a valuable opportunity to learn basic forms of art, increase world awareness, enhance experience in human relationships and socio-cultural values.

Furthermore, it paves the way to develop their own abilities as well as to become skilled at expressing themselves and most importantly to gain self-esteem and confidence to be an independent persona.

This programme will be conducted on weekdays. The programme will run for five consecutive days (20 to 24 August) from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. at Janakala Kendraya situated near the Parliament. On the final day children will perform their creation before their families.

For further details, send in a stamped envelope addressed to the Coordinator, Lanka Children’s and Youth Theatre Foundation, No. 166/1, Buddhist Institute Avenue, Parliament Road, Kotte 10100. Details of the programme are also available on www.playhousekotte.org. Details can also be obtained from the telephone number 011 2863306.