Voicing TYA festival’s audiences: reception of the Haifa International Children’s Theatre Festival

The Haifa International Children's Theatre Festival is an annual family theatre festival held in Haifa. This qualitative reception study focuses on young audiences and the adults accompanying them. Considering the festival as a comprehensive theatrical event, this study explores how it is perceived by Israeli children and parents. Drawing on the interviews, our analysis explores the reception process, involving a sequence of actions undertaken by parents and children that result in a distinctive family experience. These actions include: choosing plays to attend; mediating theatrical knowledge; participating in performances; celebrating the festival as a theatrical event, and reviewing performances they attended.