Academics call on developing Kuwaiti children's theater

Children's theater plays an important role in developing the social, scientific and mental aspects in children, while also providing them with deep values.
Children's plays must be performed with language that is easily perceived by them, and should focus on spreading knowledge and social values, a number of academics told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Wednesday.
Most children's plays nowadays are not professionally written, and are only performed for the sake of money without benefitting the kids, said Dean of academic affairs and higher education at Kuwait University Dr. Humoud Al-Mashan.
Children's theater in Kuwait lacks specialists in this field, be it actors or writers, said Al-Mashan, adding that the plays are mostly written in a language directed to adults rather than kids.
Meanwhile, the Dean stressed that Kuwait needs a specialized institute to teach all those involved in children's theater the basics needed in this field, while also developing talents.
The themes of these plays are usually pointless, concentrating mainly on decoration and singing without useful content, he explained.
Al-Mashan said that the plays should focus on topics such as respecting teachers, staying away from violence and treating maids with respect.
Moreover, the Dean called for sending Kuwaitis on scholarships to learn the principles of such plays in other countries and benefit from their expertise.
Al-Mashan also said that children's plays must involve the stories and history of our ancestors, calling on the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters to encourage writing children's plays by presenting awards and prizes.
Dean of the Higher Institute for Theatre Arts Dr. Fahad Al-Saleem on his part said that children's theater needs a professional director who has the ability and sense to bring the written scenario into the stage.
The scenario approval committee must consist of specialists in different fields of knowledge to provide children with a valuable experience when watching plays, he noted.
Meanwhile, Dr. Fatma Ayyad said that the plays must be fun and entertaining for children, adding that multiple sound effects and loud noises must be avoided when a play is directed to this category of society.
Dr. Alia Al-Matrouk from the Media Department on her part said that the theater plays a huge role in teaching children facts they need in their daily life.
In the same context, director and writer Nassar Al-Nassar saw that these plays must be directed for the whole family, as parents attend with their kids. Adults could also gain knowledge on how to deal with their children, he explained. He stressed that children's plays should not have a fixed season such as in the holidays, noting that it should be performed all year long with a variety of topics.