The art of theater was at risk of being lost in Cameroon, but thanks to initiatives like the Youth Theatre, the country’s love for live performances has been sustained. The Youth Theatre was founded in 1981 during a time when theater was dwindling in the country, particularly for kids. Etoundi Zeyang, the Artistic Director of the African Theatre Festival For Children and Young People, initiated the Youth Theatre project to introduce children to the world of theater and encourage their creative thinking.
Creating a Future Public
Through festivals like FATEJ, which showcases theater pieces from the continent at an international level, the Youth Theatre has managed to keep the theater audience in Cameroon intact. Bobbo and Mangetou, a popular youth theater performance, began in 1981 and has since become a household name in the country. The parents who used to watch Bobbo and Mangetou are now bringing their children to watch the same performance.
According to Zeyang, the Youth Theatre project has inspired some children to pursue a career in theater arts. With a good theater piece and good actors, the love for theater acting has been planted in some children as a profession. This has resulted in a new generation of theatergoers who appreciate the art form and are interested in pursuing it further.
Encouraging Creativity
Zeyang emphasizes that theater plays an essential role in the development of children, and it was necessary to initiate the Youth Theatre project to help kids explore their creative potential. The project has allowed children to develop their creative thinking skills and has encouraged them to participate in the arts.
The Youth Theatre initiative has played a crucial role in inspiring the next generation of theatergoers in Cameroon. By exposing children to the art of theater at an early age, the initiative has planted a love for the performing arts that will last a lifetime. Thanks to the Youth Theatre project, theater remains an integral part of Cameroon’s cultural heritage.
