FOSTERING a new generation of artists across the country

Stages Theatre Group, together with Kindernothilfe Sri Lanka, initiated a programme of theatre workshops to teach children artistic, creative and critical thinking skills that are outside the school curriculum. The programme works by connecting artists with schools and students who are invited to participate free of charge. Our aim is to help children learn, cope and become resilient through creativity and introduce teachers to new and creative teaching methods.

Currently we have 10 child and youth workshops running in various parts of Sri Lanka. The lead artists in charge of the workshops are for the most part native to the areas they are working in. Each artist brings a unique style and discipline, but what they all have in common is the practice of devised theatre, the employment of a child-led approach, high quality training and a firm committed to the long-term continuity of the workshops. We believe that investing in the arts and nurturing creative expression in children is essential for the growth and well-being of our society. It is critical to close the widening gap in general awareness, creativity, critical-thinking skills, and self-expression.

Our workshop programme Connects artists to schools and communities in order to conduct workshops for children, providing them with the space and platform to creatively express themselves and voice their opinions. The workshops are typically conducted over a period of three to twelve months (with the possibility to extend). During that time, the artists train the children to write, design, devise, act and produce original pieces of theatre, which is showcased to an audience of their families, teachers and the wider community.

Exposure to critical arts pushes children to reflect on themselves and the world around them. It may not provide the money they need to go to school, or any security from having to take a job; but it does offer each child, the freedom to think for themselves, confidence to speak their concerns, a hunger for justice and the imagination to dream of a better world for themselves.

  • Ambagasdowa President's College,Welimada

    Lead Artist Pramila Samarakoon

    Participants 60 -75

    Duration/Timeframe 2021 to present

    Productions 05.

    03 in English and 02 in Sinhala productions, all of which were showcased to their teachers, parents and wider community. Mighty Rat, an original children’s play in English is now competing in the final round of the National English Drama Competition while their original Sinhala play – Ko Iskole Ko made it into the final round of the Tower Hall All-Island Drama Competition.

  • Campion Estate T.M.V Bogawanthalawa

    Lead Artist M.Ajanthan

    Assisted by S.Seedevi

    Participants 15

    Duration/Timeframe Jan 2022 to present

    Productions 01

    An original Tamil play about the importance of Parents understanding their children performed at Campion T.M.V, Bogawantalawa

  • 55 Veettuthitta Kraamam (Garden 55), Jaffna

    Lead Artist Saththiyaseelan

    Participants 20

    Duration/Timeframe 2022 to present

    Productions 01.

    ‘𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑎𝑘 𝐾𝑎𝑖𝑘𝑎𝑙’ (Little Hands) which deals with the education system from a child’s point of view. Second production in progress

  • Shri Siddhartha College, Eppawala, Anuradhapura

    Lead Artist Sumudu Mallawaarachchi

    Participants 20

    Duration/Timeframe July 2023 to present

    Productions 02.

    An original play in Sinhala called ‘Sakala Sirin Piri’ which dissected the various problems the country faces and an older play called ‘Mega’ which deals with digital addiction and its effects on children.

  • A free weekly workshop run in Welilmada by one of the STG Company artists - Pramila Samarakoon, for children between the ages of 8 and 18.

    In 2022 the workshop was run for 6 months. The children did a show called - Ko iskole ko? which they performed at their school, President’s College Ambagasdowa, in September 2022.

  • A free workshop run in Modara by Nalin Lusena, for children between the ages of 12 and 18. In 2022 the workshop lasted 7 months. The children did a show called - Magic Topiya saha ape kathaa which they performed at their school, Ananda Vidyalaya Modara in October 2022.

    The show addressed the problems the children faced in their community. The free workshops will continue weekly throughout the year of 2023.

  • A free workshop run in Bogawanthalawa by artists - Leela and Loha, for children of the school Tientsin Tamil Maha Vixyalayam, between the ages of 8 - 14. In 2022 the workshop ran for 4 months.

    The children put on a show called - Vaiyagam Thalaipathatke which they performed at their school in July 2022.

    The workshops will continue weekly throughout the year of 2023.

  • A free workshop for two children’s homes run by the Salvation Army (Rajagiriya and Dehiwela) for children between the ages of 6 and 13.

    The workshops are run by Stages Artists, Thiwanka Don Ranasinghe & Veenadari Jayakody. The children put on an original show in February.

    The free workshops will continue weekly throughout the year of 2023.