Ustinov Theatre School
All children enjoy musical activities, regardless of the colour of their skin, their religion or social situation. At the same time, art in its different forms of expression – music, drama, painting or singing – can build bridges between different cultures and various lifestyles. Convinced by these fundamental principles, the Peter Ustinov Foundation has developed its own artistic programme to nurture children at “problem schools” and break down prejudice – the Ustinov Theatre School (UTS).
Children develop creative and artistic activities in the Ustinov Theatre School, at the same time learning key social skills. The formation of a child’s personality is linked to education providing a basic knowledge of music.
At the Fritz Henkel School, a “problem school” in the Garath district of Dusseldorf, work with UTS commenced at the start of the 2007/2008 academic year. Around sixty students from years five, six and seven attended UTS workshops there several times a week. Since August 2008 the Ustinov Theatre School has also been supporting the complete third year of the Herbart Primary School in Essen-Katernberg, where 85% of the around 150 children are drawn from migrant groups.
The play “King of the donkeys” forms the core of the musical activities. Here the children are guided by professionals and are supposed to develop the project until it is ready for performance. Composed and written by the renowned composer Chris Seidler, this work takes “Prejudices” and “Multicultural coexistence” as its theme. The content and message are closely linked to the ideas and philosophy of Sir Peter Ustinov.
The children are actively involved in the creative processes of these children’s operas. They design the figures, develop characters, create the stage set with guidance from artists and present their skills at public performances.
Based on the philosophy that the great actor and humanitarian Sir Peter Ustinov had of life, the Ustinov Theatre School places a new emphasis in the field of intercultural music teaching!
The social and artistic objectives of the Theatre School are:
• Extensive artistic nurturing of children, particularly at “problem schools”
• Integration of foreign children and their families
• Strengthening the personality and sense of responsibility
• Development of children’s creativity through enthusiasm for the arts
• Development of good social behaviour
• Incorporation of the children’s intercultural artistic impetus
• Pieces for musical theatre and campaigns against “prejudices”
• Shared discovery and mastery of the exciting world of musical theatre
