As part of the ‘Theatre & Performing Arts for Young Audiences: Building Collective Resilience’ project (which is co-funded by the European Union), ASSITEJ International has appointed lead researchers to help collect and disseminate data, information, practices, ideas, and solutions around the themes of: Access to TYA, Dissemination of TYA, Diversity within TYA, Perception of Early Years within TYA, and the Value of TYA.
The research will be advocacy-focused and beneficial to ASSITEJ members, ASSITEJ National Centres, Professional Networks, TYA practitioners, and the wider TYA community. The research outputs will be published on an open-access basis. The research is intended to be of reference for practitioners in their day-to-day working lives to, for example, boost advocacy initiatives and funding applications, offer learning opportunities, and foster networking and collaboration.
This multi-pronged research project is a pilot, and ASSITEJ International hopes that the learnings from this first round will enable the Association to secure future funding towards further research.
This pilot research package will be completed between now and 31st December 2024.
Research Streams
1) Quantitative Access Data – An international comparative quantitative study that explores which, and how many, children and young people are currently accessing TYA by: (a) investigating, collating, and interpreting pre-existing data; and (b) defining, overseeing, and interpreting the collection of new data.
2) Dissemination / Engagement Case Studies – An international comparative series of case studies exploring how children and young people access TYA on a structural level – including the habits, structures, and schemes through which children and young people engage with TYA.
3) Leadership Demographics – A study examining the extent of diversity of TYA sector professionals, particularly those holding leadership roles.
4) Small Size – Research on how small children are perceived within the field of TYA.
5) Value of TYA – Collated evidence on the value of TYA that curates and synthesises the existing research from across the field.
More comprehensive information about each of the five streams and the appointed Research Leads can be found below.
Project Aims
Aims of the Research Activities
- To provide the sector and other stakeholders with collated and annotated quantitative data about access to theatre and performing arts for children and young people;
- To provide the sector and other stakeholders with collated and annotated data / surveys / research about the cultural and social backgrounds of audiences in theatre and performing arts for children and young people;
- To provide the sector and other stakeholders with collated and annotated examples of dissemination structures in theatre and performing arts for children and young people, with a focus on diverse audiences;
- To provide the sector and other stakeholders with collated and annotated leadership demographics in the sector of theatre and performing arts for children and young people;
- To provide the sector with research on the perception of very young children in different national contexts and how that reflects, shapes, and challenges artistic processes and products;
- To provide the sector and other stakeholders with a range of evidence that supports the value of performing arts for young audiences.
Aims of the Dissemination Activities
- To enable sector professionals to understand and use the research on access, dissemination, and the value of theatre and performing arts in the lives of children;
- To provide knowledge and create collective reflection about the leadership demographics of the sector;
- To share artistic knowledge and inspirations about creating performing arts for the very young.
Research Advisory Group
Tom Maguire
Tom Maguire
Ulster University
Tom Maguire is a Professor of Contemporary Drama and Performance and Head of the School of Arts and Humanities at Ulster University. He teaches, researches, and supervises doctoral projects in Drama and Museum & Heritage Studies. He is the elected Chair of the International Theatre for Young Audiences Research Network (ITYARN).
Paulo Merisio
Paulo Merisio
UNIRIO (Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro)
Paulo Merisio holds a PhD in Theatre from the Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / UNIRIO. He is an Associate Professor of Theatre in the Graduate and Postgraduate Programs in Performing Arts (PPGAC) and Theatre Education at UNIRIO (Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro). He is a Counsellor to the Executive Committee of ASSITEJ International and is a board member of the International Theatre for Young Audiences Research Network (ITYARN).
Selloanne (Lalu) Mokuku
Selloanne (Lalu) Mokuku
Rhodes University
Lalu is an experienced theatremaker, storyteller, academic, writer, and performer. She has worked internationally with / for young people through organisations such as UNICEF and Save the Children United Kingdom. She currently facilitates teaching and learning at Rhodes University, focusing on theatre for social transformation. She is an Executive Committee Member of ASSITEJ International and a Board Member of ASSITEJ South Africa.
Chris Blois-Brooke
Chris Blois-Brooke
ASSITEJ International
Chris Blois-Brooke is Managing Director at ASSITEJ International. He brings experience in international drama education, community theatre, and theatre for development, as well as expertise in consulting within the cultural, creative, and non-profit sectors on topics such as knowledge management and the communication, documentation, and evaluation of international arts and cultural practice. Having worked in partnership with ASSITEJ International on various projects since 2017, Chris worked with the Association in 2021 on developing its future strategy and securing the large-scale funding required to make it happen. Chris leads on ASSITEJ International’s digital transformation, advocacy-focused research, and member engagement. His focus over the coming years is on establishing stronger knowledge management and network development within and for the ASSITEJ membership. He remains the Founder & Director of his organisation, Performing Dialogue, a leader in documentation, evaluation, and communication for the socially engaged arts and cultural sector.
Stream 1: Quantitative Access Data
An international comparative quantitative study that explores which, and how many, children and young people are currently accessing TYA by: (a) investigating, collating, and interpreting pre-existing data; and (b) defining, overseeing, and interpreting the collection of new data.
Lanora Callahan - Lead Researcher
Lanora Callahan
University of Roehampton
Dr Lanora Callahan is passionate about developing, analysing, and disseminating quantitative research in the arts and has extensive experience designing, developing, implementing, and managing quantitative and mixed-methods research involving young people and socioeconomically vulnerable populations across academic, governmental, and community settings. Dr Callahan is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Roehampton in London, United Kingdom, where she recently completed her PhD examining the impact of community-based dance programmes on the social and emotional learning of underprivileged ethnic minority adolescents using a quasi-experimental, mixed method approach. Prior to this role, Dr Callahan conducted evaluations of dance for health and wellbeing projects for East London Dance and BalletBoyz in London, United Kingdom. Previously, Dr Callahan worked at Bloomberg Associates, where she advised mayor’s offices on data-driven programme development to reduce socioeconomic disparities of ethnic minority boys and men in several cities. She worked with Mexico City, Mexico, to design, pilot, and implement their first-ever city-wide street homeless count to inform multi-agency efforts on how to reduce and support street homeless populations. She also worked as a senior analyst in the New York City Mayor’s Office for the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. She led multi-city, cross-agency research projects on child welfare, juvenile justice, and multi-agency service utilisation.
Timeline
Phase 1: Existing Quantitative Access Data of Theatre & Performing Arts for Young Audiences in Europe
Collecting and systemising existing quantitative data from a minimum of five countries that have data on numbers of audience members under the age of 18 who attend theatre and performing arts each year.
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February 2024:
Online presentation and discussion of Phase 1 research findings to ASSITEJ members (ASSITEJ National Centres, Professional Networks, Regional Networks, Affiliates, and Creative Professionals and Artists).
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Phase 2: “Access & Dissemination of Theatre & Performing Arts for Young Audiences in Europe and Beyond” Report
Working alongside Selina Busby (see below), collating, unpacking, and concluding on the data sets, survey results, and best practice examples of Stream 1 and Stream 2 into a summary report on access and dissemination.
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Phase 3: New Quantitative Access Data
Collecting and systemising quantitative data from producers of theatre and performing arts for young audiences in a minimum of five culturally diverse and geographically dispersed countries where no existing access data exists.
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October 2024:
Online presentation and discussion of Phase 3 research findings to ASSITEJ members (ASSITEJ National Centres, Professional Networks, Regional Networks, Affiliates, and Creative Professionals and Artists)
Stream 2: Dissemination / Engagement Case Studies
An international comparative series of case studies exploring how children and young people access TYA on a structural level – including the habits, structures, and schemes through which children and young people engage with TYA.
Selina Busby - Lead Researcher
Selina Busby
The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama
Dr Selina Busby is an academic and theatre practitioner who makes performances with community groups as well as being a National Teaching Fellow. She is a Professor of applied and social theatre at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where she is also the Course Leader for the MA Applied Theatre course and the lead for Research Ethics and Integrity. Her research and practice focuses on theatre that invites the possibility of change. She uses participatory and emancipatory research methods and has worked internationally in prison settings, youth theatres, and with people living in adverse conditions. Her research investigates applied theatre with marginalised communities undertaking partnerships with theatres, NGOs, youth groups, and grassroots practitioners. Current projects include work with communities living in informal housing settlements, those living with gender-based violence in India, and a cultural heritage project in Kenya. This latter project is focused on archiving African Rock Art in order to create a digital learning resource and drama package for schools in partnership with local practitioners and the UK-based company, C&T. Recent publications include Applied Theatre: A Pedagogy of Utopia (2021), Methuen, and The Routledge Companion To Theatre and Young People, co-edited with Kelly Freebody and Charlene Rajendran (2022), Routledge.
Timeline
Phase 1: Case Studies on Dissemination of Theatre & Performing Arts for Young Audiences in Europe and Beyond
Collecting information and describing national examples of how children and young people access TYA on a structural level – including the habits, structures, and schemes through which children and young people engage with TYA. It will explore, for example, how children and young people access theatre and performing arts through touring, local venues, classroom engagements, or local communities. It may explore how the dissemination of TYA is stimulated by public funding, for example, whether there is government or foundation support for touring – and how contact between theatre companies and performance organisers is established.
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March 2024:
Online presentation and discussion of research findings to ASSITEJ members (ASSITEJ National Centres, Professional Networks, Regional Networks, Affiliates, and Creative Professionals and Artists).
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Phase 2: “Access & Dissemination of Theatre & Performing Arts for Young Audiences in Europe and Beyond” Report
Working alongside Lanora Callahan (see above), collating, unpacking, and concluding on the data sets, survey results and best practice examples of Stream 1 and Stream 2 into a summary report on access and dissemination.
Stream 3: Leadership Demographics
A study examining the extent of diversity of TYA sector professionals, particularly those holding leadership roles.
Nishna Mehta - Lead Researcher
Nishna Mehta
Independent
Nishna Mehta is a graduate of the MA Theatre for Young Audiences programme at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance in the United Kingdom. She has been working with and for children and young people from various backgrounds and abilities in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany since 2012 in various creative and managerial roles. She has been a participant at the ASSITEJ ‘Next Generation’ Programme residencies at Augenblick Mal! in Berlin (2015) and On The Edge in Birmingham (2016). In 2022, she served as the Project Manager for ‘IIAN Making Waves!’, a tour of inclusive performances for children and young people under the ‘Perform Europe’ initiative funded by the ‘Creative Europe’ programme of the European Commission. She was a Project Coordinator at the ASSITEJ Artistic Gathering 2022 (Sweden) and was elected as the Co-chairperson of the International Inclusive Arts Network (IIAN), a Professional Network of ASSITEJ International. In all of her roles, she aims to bring her local and international experiences together to experiment with and find a ‘glocal’ identity.
Caleb Lee - Lead Researcher
Caleb Lee
University of Exeter
Caleb Lee is an intellectual adventurer and cultural mediator working at the intersection of the arts and young people. He is currently a lecturer in Drama at the University of Exeter. He is co-artistic director of Five Stones Theatre – an international collective creating dance and theatre experiences for children that are ‘a little different’. His work cuts across the creative industries applied performances, and digital technologies, with interests in popular culture, creativity, social change, and young people’s health and wellbeing. With over a decade of leadership experience in the professional sector, Caleb continues to work with artists, policymakers, and cultural organisations globally to empower children through creative activities. He currently serves on the Advisory Council at Polka Theatre, as a visiting fellow for Zinc Venture Builder, and as an associate researcher of the International Inclusive Arts Network (IIAN) and Rose Bruford College’s TYA Centre. He is also a lead researcher and a member of the Asian TYA Network. Caleb uses #PoliticsofSmallChange to define his work – an approach that considers how micro-actions can inspire change and hopeful futures, one small step at a time.
Timeline
Leadership Demographics
Surveying the leadership demographics of producers, venues, and festivals in the field of theatre and performing arts for young audiences from a minimum of six countries. The questions will aim to identify how the artistic and administrative leaders identify in terms of gender, ethnic background, skin colour, minority / majority, abilities / disabilities, age, educational background, and annual income.
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April 2024:
Online presentation and discussion of research findings to ASSITEJ members (ASSITEJ National Centres, Professional Networks, Regional Networks, Affiliates, and Creative Professionals and Artists).
Stream 4: Small Size*
Research on how small children are perceived within the field of TYA. More information about it may be found here.
*Note that this research stream is being administered by the Small Size Network.
Paweł Gałkowski - Lead Researcher
Paweł Gałkowski
Art Fraction Foundation
Paweł Gałkowski is a Doctor of Philosophy, Researcher, and Project Coordinator. Paweł has been associated with theatre for the youngest audiences for almost ten years. He is a director on the board of the Small Size Network. He is President of the Management Board of the Art Fraction Foundation, a Polish non-governmental organisation focused on the field of art and culture for the youngest children as well as on delivering socially engaged projects. Over the last decade, he has collaborated with artists, cultural institutions, and organisations from Poland and internationally from many countries around the world. His research interests are related to the philosophy of culture and the methodology of the humanities. Since 2021 he has also been associated with Adam Mickiewicz University’s Project Support Centre.
Michelle Guerra Adame - Lead Researcher
Michelle Guerra Adame
Independent
Michelle Guerra Adame is a director, producer, and teacher. Michelle has a MA in Arts from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California with a focus on the methodologies of theatre direction for children aged from zero to three years old. Since 2005, she has been the founder and director of Colectivo de Teatro en Espiral. Michelle is also director of Semana de Teatro para Niñas y Niños Baja California “Ray Garduño” and Encuentro Internacional de Artes Escénicas para los Primeros Años: Infancia, Territorio de Paz festivals. Since 2009, Michelle has been a Professor of Theatre at the Faculty of Arts of the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC). She is a founding member of VINCULAR, the Latin American Network of Stage Creation for the Early Years, a board director of the Small Size Network, and a member of Red Miradas México. Since 2018, she has been a member of the National System of Art Creators in Mexico.
Sara Myrberg - Lead Researcher
Sara Myrberg
Independent
Sara Myrberg is an author, creator, and actor in the field of theatre for the youngest audiences, aged from zero to six years. A member of Teater Tre Stockholm since the 80s and artistic director from 2010 to 2021, she is now an independent artist. Sara’s performances of Halli Hallo (2005) for two to four years, Blocks (2010) for three to six years and Good Night Sleep Tight (2013) have toured all over the world in addition to Bubbla (2008) and Bo (2018), both performances for babies aged six to eighteen months. She was educated at the Ballet Academy in Stockholm and undertook a programme in mime at Uniarts Stockholm. It is here that Sara is also currently completing a MA in acting, where she is focused on actors and the youngest audiences. She is on the board of the Small Size Network as well as being a member of ASSITEJ Sweden.
Timeline
Research on How Small Children are Perceived
Researching how small children are perceived in different countries, cultures, communities, and institutional settings and how that reflects, shapes, and challenges artistic processes and performances. The main goal is to research a set of beliefs connected with agency practice among early years theatre practitioners and, secondly, to describe shared ideas about children’s agency behind artistic practice. In general, the project will focus on the worldviews of artists and professionals who are artistically and institutionally involved in the performative, artistic, and creative processes. We believe that there are many ideas to explore: based on pedagogical, artistic and aesthetic, political or philosophical concepts, and – especially with regard to artistic practice itself – where the child’s agency is not only increasingly emphasised but which sometimes also gains an emancipatory dimension.
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June 2024:
Online presentation and discussion of research findings to ASSITEJ members (ASSITEJ National Centres, Professional Networks, Regional Networks, Affiliates, and Creative Professionals and Artists).
Stream 5: Value of TYA
Collated evidence on the value of TYA that curates and synthesises the existing research from across the field. The primary focus is on knowledge synthesis – collecting, curating, and signposting to pre-existing published literature, as well as grey (unpublished) literature, that qualifies and quantifies claims on the value of theatre and performing arts for children.
Kelly Freebody - Lead Researcher
Kelly Freebody
The University of Sydney
Dr Kelly Freebody is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at The University of Sydney. Her research focuses on drama, young people, education, and social justice. Her work considers the history of ideas in the fields of drama education and theatre. Kelly co-edited the recent Routledge Companion to Theatre and Young People (2022). This 37-chapter volume canvassed youth theatre practice and research from 19 countries around the world, including contributions from young people. Kelly has been an investigator on several research projects exploring drama and theatre with young people and published extensively in the area.
Michael Anderson - Lead Researcher
Michael Anderson
The University of Sydney
Dr Michael Anderson is a Professor of Creativity and Arts Education at the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at The University of Sydney and is also Co-Director of the CREATE Centre. He is an internationally recognised educational leader in how young people engage with the arts and creativity. He has taught, researched, and published in this area for over 20 years, including 20 books and 60 book chapters and journal articles.
Timeline
Collated Evidence on the Value of TYA
The primary focus is on knowledge synthesis – collecting, curating, and signposting to pre-existing published literature, as well as grey (unpublished) literature, that qualifies and quantifies claims on the value of performing arts for children. The research will include desk-based analysis as well as community consultation (in-person and online) with ASSITEJ members and other artists in the field on the evidence that they hold and the evidence that they can point towards. Systematic mapping of existing sources and / or systematic literature reviews will be supported by additional data collection and analysis.
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September 2024:
Online presentation and discussion of research findings to ASSITEJ members (ASSITEJ National Centres, Professional Networks, Regional Networks, Affiliates, and Creative Professionals and Artists).
