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Proposal for the new ASSITEJ Professional Network
Dear colleagues, members of the ASSITEJ community,
We are writing to you to present a proposal for the strategic growth of our global network: the creation of a Performing Arts Network for Adolescents (13-19 years old). This initiative seeks to consolidate and expand ASSITEJ‘s fundamental mission, defined as the union of theatres, organisations, and individuals dedicated to the artistic, cultural, and educational rights of young people regardless of their nationality, cultural identity, abilities, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or religion.
Adolescence represents a distinctive ontological and psychosocial phase, characterised by intense identity development, growing socio-political awareness, and a search for authentic channels of expression. However, this demographic often falls into a programmatic limbo within cultural ecosystems, situated between proposals for children and those addressed to young adults. Our proposal is based on the following:
- Continuity of Cultural Rights: It is imperative to guarantee the continuity of the right to artistic access beyond childhood. The proposed network would act as an essential bridge, retaining adolescents as an active audience and encouraging their evolution from spectators to creators and critics.
- Alignment with existing professional networks: This network would complement and draw on the already established structures of ASSITEJ International.
- Innovation through mediation and accessibility: The network would incorporate the principles of accessibility and inclusion from its inception. It would be a network designed for everyone, incorporating diversity as a core value.
We propose a gradual and collaborative development model that takes advantage of the infrastructure and knowledge of National Centres. Some of the actions proposed for its implementation are:
- Global mapping of groups, playwrights, researchers, and other creators with works for adolescent audiences.
- Establishment of an international working group made up of directors, researchers, playwrights and artists linked to or interested in the performing arts for adolescents, preferably members of ASSITEJ centres but open to independent professionals.
- Development of a manifesto or founding document defining the artistic, ethical and operational objectives of the network, in line with the ASSITEJ International Manifesto.
- Creation of a digital platform to share resources, calls for proposals, theatrical texts and other resources that highlight the work of creators of performing arts for adolescent audiences.
- Collaborative design of conferences, workshops, seminars, festivals and publications to promote the development of performing arts for adolescents in person or virtually.
Expected impact and call to action
We believe that the creation of a Performing Arts Network for Adolescents is an investment in the sustainable future of the performing arts for young audiences. Its benefits would be multiple:
- For adolescents: High-quality artistic offerings that engage with their realities, fostering their development as critical and empowered cultural citizens.
- For creators and companies: A specific channel for the creation, research and dissemination of works, and a breeding ground for new talent (playwrights, directors, mediators).
- For National Centres: Strengthening of their programs, greater connection with a key population segment and opportunities for tangible international cooperation.
- For ASSITEJ International: Consolidation of its leadership by holistically addressing the entire spectrum of childhood and youth, reinforcing its role as a global alliance of professional theatre for children and young people.
We invite all National Centres and professional networks to collaborate in disseminating this initiative so that their individual members or companies can participate in its collective construction. We would also appreciate it if you could inform us of your potential interest, the relevant experiences you are already developing in your local contexts, and your ideas for this global framework.
Together, we can ensure that the voice, creativity, and transformative power of adolescence find their place at the heart of our global community.
We look forward to your valuable responses and are available to discuss this proposal in greater depth.
We invite you to complete this form to join the network
If you would like more information, please contact us at red.adolescencias@gmail.com
Kenia Rodríguez (ASSITEJ Cuba)
María Inés Falconi (ATINA-ASSITEJ Argentina)
Members of the Ibero-American Network of Performing Arts for Children and Young People of ASSITEJ.
