Children's Playwriting in Saudi Arabia

(A Study of Trends and Artistic Structure)

Abstract

Children's playwriting is one of the most challenging literary arts due to factors related to the child's age group, their personal, intellectual, psychological, social, and linguistic development, the suitability of information and its presentation, and the nature of the era in which children live, characterized by technological advancements and modern media. These factors demand significant effort from the writer to overcome these challenges and employ techniques that are appropriate and impactful for children. This study provides a brief overview of the most important theatrical schools and their most prominent features, from classicism to experimentalism. This study employs the semiotic mechanisms of theater, using a semiotic approach to uncover the meanings of the active elements within the dramatic structure of theatrical texts. The research reveals the awareness and ability of Saudi children's playwrights to develop their theatrical writing methods and create plays that resonate with children's minds and emotions, achieving the desired intention and impact. The Saudi writer has demonstrated proficiency in writing classical texts, drawing on history to explore its heroic and glorious aspects. They have also written romantic texts infused with imagination suitable for children, highlighting valuable human values ​​and addressing pressing social issues relevant to children's lives.