Providing young people with a safe space to express themselves through the arts, the Modal Interchange Moving Arts Programme was launched in Gqeberha at the weekend.
Members of the theatre community visit the children at child and youth centres to teach them dance, art, music and drama.
At the end of the three-month run, the youngsters use what they have learnt to put on a performance at the Savoy Theatre.
Programme founder Nelisa Kala said they wanted to promote artistic expression among the younger generation.
A pilot workshop with 60 children was held between January and March this year.
At the weekend, the new programme kicked off with 444 children set to take part in workshops in January and February.
This will culminate in a theatre production by the children at the end of March.
The participating centres are Lukhanyiso Child and Youth Care Centre, SOS Children’s Village, Protea Child & Youth Centre, Maranatha Siyakatala Child and Youth Care Centre, Erica Child and Youth Care Centre, MTR Smit Children’s Home, and Oosterland Child and Youth Care Centre.
Thirty of the 444 participating children, , will be selected to perform on stage, with 15 working backstage to paint and design the backdrops.
Kala said the initiative was made possible by a partnership with Impact Community Theatre, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), the National Arts Council and business sponsorships.
The NMU performing arts department supplied instruments to be used by the children.
“Our core belief is to promote artistic wellbeing through artistic expression,” Kala said.
“I know, in my own life, my instruments kept me busy and entertained as I constantly worked towards getting better.
“We will go to the children’s homes to teach them the music, dance, theatre, singing and drama.
“We will start with music, because it is the easiest; it teaches rhythm.
“Then will be the drama where they learn to express themselves, followed by the dance portion of musical theatre,” Kala said.
Maranatha Siyakatala programme manager Harrison Dax Nash said the centre took care of 34 children and young people from across the province, aged between five and 21.
“I have the responsibility of ensuring the children receive a holistic service, so this programme is inspiring because we know creative arts can promote wellbeing and our children have a lot to heal from.
“We give them the right tools to express themselves and discover talents that even they did not know they had.
“Art, singing and drama can be crucial tools along the road to recovery.
“The skills developed from creative expression at large are invaluable, whether it be communications or social skills,” Dax Nash said.
Impact Community Theatre’s Rose Cowpar said she was excited about the project, which would allow children to attend rehearsals in a safe space.
“We have seen the difference in the lives of the children who have participated with us through our programme, even the child who could barely speak during the auditions.
“All of a sudden they are up on stage, singing and dancing in front of 300 people.
“You cannot buy that — it is so special.
“It is great for the children in mainstream schools who do drama, music and art.
“When they walk into a theatre, they are confident.
“Therefore, we also want to see children who have never had that opportunity offered the chance to grow,” Cowpar said.
NMU music education department lecturer Prof Alethea de Villiers said such programmes had many healing properties.
“When children are involved in the arts, they learn certain words, steps and dances, improve their vocabulary and also learn how to express themselves.
“Art provides an opportunity for people to work through trauma.
“For instance, when they are acting, they get to remove themselves from their challenges by being in character, which is another form of therapy,” De Villiers said.
Child and Youth Care Centre social worker Asenathi Ndungane said in her 14 years of service in the child protection space she had never before come across a programme as well put together as this one.
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