arena en los bolsillos

Arena en los Bolsillos was founded in Granada in 2008 by Iker Pérez and Elisa Vargas. It is a professional theatre company specializing in puppet and object theatre for babies and toddlers. Ever since it began, the company has concentrated on a very specific line of work: professional theatre dedicated to art and early childhood.
We were clear from the start that our discipline was puppet theatre, something we are truly passionate about. But we soon became aware that we also needed to focus our work on a specific age group.
We’re fascinated by babies’ and toddlers’ creative processes, and we thought it would be brilliant to work for this very special audience. We have always believed that these little people embody innocence in its purest state. If there is one set of human beings who can truly be amazed and moved by the beautiful deception of theatre, it is small children.
Since then, all of our work has focused on creation, experiences and study linked to this age group. Babies and toddlers are, without doubt, the most demanding audience, and that’s why we feel such respect when creating something for them. It is fortunate, then, that they are also the most appreciative public you could ask for. We knew our mission would be a huge challenge, but this challenge has also been our biggest motivation.
 
 

WHY CHOOSE THEATRE FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS?
Theatre for babies and toddlers
We all know that children have a right to food, protection, and education… But there is another children’s right which is often given little attention: the right to culture.
Within equal opportunities, it is culture which helps children to develop their aptitudes, and form individual opinions and a sense of social and moral responsibility so that they can grow up learning values such as dignity, tolerance, freedom, and solidarity.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Children protects children’s rights to play and entertainment, recreational activities appropriate to their age, and to freely participate in cultural life and the arts.
Surrounding them with music, introducing them to books, taking them to the theatre: these are all ways for children to learn, and appreciate beauty.
In developing their personality, children have the right to be curious, to think and feel stimulated, to express themselves freely and spontaneously, imagine and create, grow in self-confidence, learn more about the world around them, and access the arts.
Humanity owes children the best it has to offer, and this responsibility falls primarily to the adult, although grown-ups and children may have very different ways of thinking and feeling. Childhood is short, but during this time we live through fundamental experiences which condition our whole life. The time we dedicate to children, and the activities we share together today, will be their best memories tomorrow.
Children have a right to the present. The time will come for them to deal with other matters, but later in life we experience everything in quite a different way. They should not only be educated in preparation for adult life, but also enjoy a happy childhood. Children are not just tomorrow’s public: they are today’s audience.
Arena en los Bolsillos Theatre Company