Elementary school pupil Yinte is introduced to theater: 'This was really so much fun!'
Thanks to a project of six collaborating venues in the Brainport region, called 'Wonka Podia', Yinte Bosse (9) from Bergeijk went by bus to the Park Theatre in Eindhoven, accompanied by theater staff and culture coaches. Together with other elementary school pupils she visited the magical performance 'Zinderella'. A performance that is about being proud of yourself. A fun and educational experience!
She can still remember it well. Mama asked me if I wanted to go to a performance in the theater with school. I had already been to the musical 'The Lion King' with my grandmother. Because I really liked that, I said 'yes' immediately.
Her school, De Regenboog in Bergeijk, applied for a project by 'Wonka Podia', a collaboration of regional theaters with the aim of getting more (young) people excited about going to the theater. And in this case it worked out well. We drove to the theater in a big bus. Upon arrival a photographer took our picture. Then we walked into the theater. We had very good seats in the auditorium. I really felt like a VIP.
The message of the performance
In addition to feeling very special that day, Yinte is very appreciative of the performance itself. 'I had actually never seen a performance like that before. There was a lot of dancing. And even though little was said, I knew what it was about. It doesn't matter what you look like, you are good the way you are. With or without curls, freckles or whatever.'
Afterwards, the children got to meet the actors. I thought that was special. We could ask them all sorts of questions, but they were also very curious about us. They asked us how we liked the performance and what we learned from it. Really nice!'
Yinte's mother is also enthusiastic. I am not much of a theater-goer myself, but I think it is very important that Yinte gets the chance to see such a performance. In this way she gets to know cultural activities. And Yinte thought it was fantastic. When she came home, she said to me: 'Mom, this was so much fun. She was beaming.
An instructive afternoon
According to Marieke, it was not just a fun afternoon for her daughter. It was also very instructive for her. She was challenged to use her own imagination and creativity to find out the story and the message. That's different than when she watches a movie at home.'
Region Deal Brainport Eindhoven
The performance 'Zinderella' is part of a series of performances to let children up to 12 years experience (structural) theater. It is organized by the Wonka Podia, an intensive collaboration between six venues from the Southeast Brabant region. They make theater accessible to every resident of the Brainport region through various projects. Also for those for whom it is not obvious, such as the elderly in nursing homes, the deaf and hard of hearing, the blind and visually impaired, young soccer players or international residents of the region.
The Wonka Podia and the projects have been made possible by funding from Regio Deal Brainport Eindhoven.
