Cervantes Magazine Number 24: Theater

Theater is one of the best tools to teach a child a specific topic. But this carries a much greater value when the children themselves are the bearers of that message. In this case, this theatrical genre could be called, "children's theater or Theater for children"?

---

---

First of all, these two theatrical denominations have the same objective: to transmit a didactic message or moral to the youngest audience, the children.

The reason i insist with the concept of these two terms, is because there is great confusion among the general public and some other empirical theater makers. The question is, what is the difference between Theater for Children and Children's Theater?

Theater for children, is performed and written by young people or professional actors with a serious vision, regardless of whether it is comedy or another genre, towards a child theme. This type of theater does not involve children disguised as animals, trees or vegetables, no, it’s a type of theater more committed to the message or moral. Where older actors act or play characters like villains, animals or fantastic beings, among others ..., all this in favor of what they want to tell.

There are many companies and theater groups that work in this genre. The children's audience is much greater than that of adults, of course, even knowing that children’s topics are limited. Despite this, there is still a great amount of reception from children.

To entertain and teach children at the same time, it is an arduous and disciplined work. However, the result is very satisfactory.

Children represent that childishness that every actor should build and keep, when creating a character in this genre.

Now, what is Children's Theater?* They are works written and/or acted by children ( meaning boys and girls) for other children. These works contain colorful and particular characters, such as animals or objects, which demonstrate that fantastic aspect that a child possesses. Some are musical, others feature dances ... The majority of children who live the experience of children's theater, tend to continue with their careers as adults; others may not, but they won’t forget the feeling of showing up at the theater and how much they learned.

Source

The importance of this genre is that from a young age, they know and analyze feelings in the face of theatrical dramatic situations, as well as learn from each and every one of the theatrical processes. Last, but not least, they become aware of the message they transmit to other children and thus they grow up in a context of good deeds and fantastic stories.

But that’s not all, theater is of great importance in childhood, because we learn about text analysis and reading comprehension, we promote concentration, it helps us reflect, and we also promote values in an artistic way.

In particular, the two genres have the same objective, although they are not played by the same people. Here the difference is age.

Would you like to have lived a children's theater experience or do you want to make one with theater for children?

---