New Art for new Changes: 10children.org
2 June from 2 to 5 pm, at tanzhaus nrw, in English
The global movement 10children artistically investigates child poverty on various continents. Everywhere, a theatre play, a documentary film and an artistic project are being created in collaboration with decision-makers. What impact do the projects have? In this workshop, the three-step 10children method will be put into practice using your own experiences as a theatre maker.
With: Liesbeth Coltof and Dennis Meyer, Netherlands
Faye Kabali-Kagwa, South Africa
Vibhawari Deshpande and Shrirang Godbole, India
www.10children.org
Liesbeth Coltof is an internationally respected theatre director. She served as artistic director of one of the Netherlands’ most influential theatre companies for children and teens, the Toneelmakerij, and has been distinguished with significant awards for her work both at home and abroad. She has extensive experience working in war zones and countries in conflict or poverty, such as Palestine (Gaza), Nigeria, Russia and Iran. For “special merits of a very exceptional nature for society” she was bestowed the Order of the Netherlands Lion as a Knight.
Vibhawari Deshpande, or Vibha, is a renowned Indian actor, writer and director—a key player in the children’s theatre scene. Her work extends beyond performance, encompassing playwriting, directing and a strong commitment to socially relevant storytelling. For the past twelve years Vibha has been part of the German-Indian project Crossroads in collaboration with Stefan Fischer-Fels, Ranga and German authors Lutz Huebner and Sarah Nemitz. This alliance has thus-far resulted in the development of three theatre productions, which have been performed in both India and Germany. Together with Ranga, she kept the Grips Theatre movement going in India. The Rainbow Umbrella Foundation (RUF), which she co-founded, has partnered with 10Children.org. Vibha’s recent plays “Sopa Nasta Kahi" and “Mag Tu Mala Kha” demonstrate her understanding of young minds and social realities, and she currently has several play- and filmwriting projects in the works.
Shrirang ‘Ranga’ Godbole, a versatile Indian artist, excels in TV, cinema and theatre. Starting off as a stage actor in 1979, he’s now a noted lyricist, writer, director and producer. A pivotal aspect of Ranga’s work is his dedication to children’s theatre, particularly through the Indian Grips Theatre movement, which brought “Chhan Chote Waitta Mothe” to India in 1986. The main pillars of his partnership with 10children include: producing a play, developing an art exhibition, creating a documentary film and holding a conference on the central theme of poverty and girls. Ranga is currently working on a new play and a new film.
Faye Kabali-Kagwa, Curator, arts coordinator, writer, project coordinator, South Africa’s Cradle of Creativity festival for children and young audiences—ASSITEJ South Africa
Faye Kabali-Kagwa is a cultural curator, arts coordinator, and writer with a keen focus on youth voices. She is one of the co-curators of Theater der Welt 2026. In 2023, Faye curated the Cradle of Creativity Festival, an international theatre festival for children and young audiences. In her work with ASSITEJ South Africa, she runs the project Unlocking Learners’ Creativity in the Western Cape in addition to heading the 10Children project, amongst others.
Dennis Meyer is a dramaturge, theater educator and policy advisor who served as artistic director of Het Lab Utrecht, a production company for collaborations between young theater professionals and children and teens. He also established several art festivals in addition to his long-time service as a youth theater specialist at the Netherlands Theatre Institute, where he initiated various international projects.