Toward a grounded dramaturgy, part 2: Equality and artistic integrity in Theatre for Early Years

ABSTRACT Theatre for Early Years (TEY) has grown in popularity in recent years, but while diverse practices have emerged around the world, coherent and robust theory concerning this challenging field is lacking. An earlier article outlined a possible research study design using Grounded Theory methods to gather data for analysis and interpretation from TEY practitioners. Forming the second part of an investigation funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, this article seeks to contribute to the field by proposing an explanatory theory grounded in these data, and described as the theory of equality and artistic integrity. The development of the theory from two core categories is explained, and its relevance and theoretical contribution are then considered. The theory may offer a new framework for examining TEY as a set of uniquely sensitive practices. The model is designed to provide relevant knowledge to practitioners, drama students and tutors/teachers, programmers, and audiences.