Launch of the Drama Theatre & Young People Manifesto at the National Theatre
13 March 2020
Today, Friday 13 March the Drama Theatre and Young People Manifesto has been launched at the National Theatre, London. It calls for every child and young person to have an entitlement to drama and theatre throughout their education.
We agree with the manifesto that making drama and theatre is an essential part of being human. Participating helps us to express what we care about, and why; reminding us of who we are and what we can be.
Drama is a source for cultural capital, identity and heritage; it inspires us to take risks, think critically and builds social cohesion through collaboration. It can change and shape our lives through developing creativity, cognition, empathy and resilience. Children and young people thrive in schools where drama is accessible to all through the curriculum.
To ensure that every child has an entitlement to drama and theatre the Manifesto calls for:
- High quality drama teaching to be made a curriculum entitlement for every child and young person
- High quality theatre experiences to be made a cultural entitlement for every child and young person
- Young people to be supported to enter the theatre workforce
- A world class education workforce and infrastructure in drama and theatre education
The Manifesto has been developed by an alliance of drama and theatre organisations including:
- Action for Children’s Arts
- London Drama
- London Theatre Consortium
- National Drama
- NST (Nuffield Southampton Theatres)
- SCUDD (The Standing Conference of University Drama Departments)
- Theatre Education Forum
- Theatre Workout
Read the full manifesto.
Once upon not too long ago drama teaching and theatre experiences were parts of the national curriculum for state schools and so it should be again, along with teachers trained for drama in all age phases and funding to support theatre experiences in or out of school
Technical and other knowledge/ skills in performance related design and technology also need including
In parallel schools need a restored comprehensive careers service
In fact the overall call should be for a wide ranging comprehensive entitlement education in a revitalised state school system where all children might have the opportunities open to their peers attending eg eton