Savanna Trust’s Theatre Factory is currently running a workshop for directors and actors aimed at equipping local practitioners with new skills in theatre production. BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
The training programme is being spearheaded by South African theatre directors: Monageng Motshabi aka Vice and Mncedisi Shabangu.
Shabangu returns to Zimbabwe after his recent visit to Theatre in the Park for his play Ten Bush.
Savanna Trust’s Melody Zambuko last week said the two directors’ input would assist in putting together two productions namely Half Empty, Half Full and Johnny Fights Tonight.
The plays will be staged at various international festivals next year.
“The directors’ workshop has participants like Eunice Tava, Leonard Matsa, Elton Mjanana, O’Brian Mudyiwenyama, Leeroy Gono and Daniel Maposa, director of Savannah Trust,” said Zambuko.
“On the other hand the actors’ course includes Chipo Bizure, Nothando Nobengula, Anthony Mazhetese, Teddy Mangawa, Judith Tsoka, Caroline Mashingaidze, Sitshengisiwe Siziba, Brezhnev Guvheya and many more.”
She said the project had indirectly given birth to many other opportunities beyond their imagination.
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“The course has created great networks among students and lecturers. 2013 will be a busy year for the project.”
She said they would also start a writers’ training programme and coordinate residencies for Zimbabwean theatre practitioners in South Africa.
“It is with this larger vision that the South African theatre production Itsoseng and the Netherlands’ OT Theatre were invited at Savannah Trust’s Protest Arts International Festival.”
The project will benefit practitioners with skills in acting, directing, production designing and a deeper insight into the peculiarities of musical dance theatre.
“Pro Helvetia, Switzerland’s National Arts Council arm in South Africa, realised that this was a noble initiative and they agreed to support the initial phase of the project,” said Zambuko.
According to Maposa: “All these opportunities will be explored and pursued because at Savanna, we believe that the stage is the best platform for people to look at their history, understand their present and pave a better way into the future.”
