This JHB Art Organisation Is Devoted In Changing the Lives of Young South Africans

Through the performing arts, a theatre group with headquarters in Gauteng is changing the lives of young South Africans.

The National Children’s Theatre (NCT) aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders via captivating performance arts, inventive and instructive musicals, and engaging after-school programmes.

Originally founded in 1989 as the Johannesburg Youth Theatre, it changed its name to NCT in 2005.

According to NCT Chief Executive Officer Tamara Guhrs, the organisation envisions a nation where every child has equal access to high-caliber arts programming and engaging live theatre performances.

Guhrs said this helps them to develop self-expression, confidence, and compassionate and moral leadership.

The organisation said it takes great satisfaction in providing young students in both urban and rural parts of the nation with captivating, multi-award winning theatre and education.

Throughout the year, it hosts live theatre performances at its Parktown campus in Johannesburg which boots two indoor theatres, an outdoor theatre, a puppet theatre, a music room, and classrooms for weekend workshops and summer camps are all located on the site.

“NCT has won Naledi Awards for the best production for children and young audiences from 2012 to 2024,” according to Guhrs. “NCT produces about eight productions each year,”

Through its Shakespeare Festival, Young Directors Festival, workshops and camps for theatre education, and award-winning productions, the NCT engages approximately 100,000 young learners annually.

According to Guhrs, the Shakespeare Festival draws actors from all across the nation every year. These actors compete for awards while giving presentations in front of parents, friends, and admirers.

This fosters the development of their ability to think creatively and work together to solve problems.

According to Guhrs, the NCT is a great source of talent for the South African theatre industry.

Celebrating thirty years of democracy and independence, Guhrs noted that during the previous thirty years, South African artists’ narratives have changed from overtly prehistoric to more varied examinations of what makes the nation robust and distinct.

She noted that the company uses its varied heritages to produce dynamic theatre that is consistently highly praised worldwide.

The NCT also presents both local and top-notch international works.

Editor’s note: Through the performing arts, this theatre group, National Children’s Theatre, with headquarters in Gauteng is changing the lives of young South Africans. Children and young people have equal access to high-caliber arts programming and engaging live theatre performances.

Description: The National Children’s Theatre aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders via captivating performance arts, inventive and instructive musicals, and engaging after-school programmes.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Do4SA