Learners going on 'dream' experience

GEORGE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - A group of local actors that has been entertaining and educating school children with their lively productions since February this year, expect to reach 2 500 children in the next fortnight. The group, Asijike Arts, will be presenting the play The Dream Box at the Oakhurst Insurance George Arts Theatre.

Local schools have been invited to attend and groups of children will be bused to the theatre in York Street.

'Dream Box'
The Dream Box is a 30-minute long play about a boy who has a dream the night before his birthday. The dream takes the boy on an engaging and fun fantasy journey. "Participation in theatre can have a positive impact on young children's confidence and self-esteem as well as on their communication skills and means of self-expression," says Carina Beukes, the director of the play.

Asijike Arts
The acting company comprises a team of interns, actors and staff of the Arts Theatre who are passionate about the ability of the arts to touch and transform lives. Asijike is isiXhosa for "let's turn around". In accordance with their motto, "Bringing theatre to schools and schools to the theatre", they have reached nine schools, four pre-schools and four libraries within the George area in the four months of their existence.

They were invited to the Zabalaza festival, where they were exposed to the vast and different sides of theatre and the team's enthusiastic actors gained invaluable experience when they helped facilitate some of the programmes.

Employment
The initiative, funded by the Lotto and supported by the George Society of Arts, has empowered a team of two interns, three part-time members and seven on-call artists that form part of the Asijike Arts database. They have reached 6 245 children through three projects. Carina Beukes and the manager of the Arts theatre, Heather Stead, say their ultimate mission is to reach every school and community in the Garden Route area.

It was a joyous occasion for the Delville Park Primary School's learners to see the play The Dream Box on Wednesday 30 May.