How the Dramatic Need program works

Dramatic Need works by sending UK-based professional actors, artists and musicians to South Africa to conduct workshops in primary schools. Volunteers can go for a period of between two weeks to two months, either individually or in companies. Workshops are based around the particular expertise of the volunteer, be it drama, visual arts, music or even dance. Volunteers are billeted within the local community and will usually workshop at two different primary schools during their stay. We encourage volunteers to stay as long as their work/study schedule permits, so both students and volunteers can get as much out of the programme as possible.

Dramatic Need currently has links with 32 schools in the Free State and North West Province, reaching 1056 primary school-aged children in some of the most impoverished and isolated parts of rural South Africa. Whilst the arts are part of the official curriculum in South Africa, the reality is that most rural schools have neither the funds nor the materials to make the most of the arts syllabus. This is where Dramatic Need comes in. Through our workshops conducted by professional artists we augment and add to what arts education already exists in schools. We stress that volunteers are not teachers and are not replacing existing arts education or educators.

The Dramatic Need programme is very much a cultural exchange, with volunteers learning as much as the children they are working with. We are not 'importing' theatre, music and art to South Africa, but simply enabling children who may have very little in life, to utilise and take ownership of their own talents and abilities. In doing so, volunteers will be helping to foster the children's self-confidence and ability to express their emotions.

Volunteers go out in blocks corresponding to the South African school term. We are currently accepting volunteers for terms in 2008

For further details of costs, necessary experience, training and other essential information, please go to the How to Volunteer section.