Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
IT has been evident that the local theatre’s dearth in terms of shows is deep but like a seed, hope sprouts, spearheaded by arts institutions like the Young Artists Development School (YADS) which has been in existence for the past eight years.
Recently, the theatre torch was kept lit at the Bulawayo Theatre, a delayed celebration of World Theatre Day.
The celebration came in the form of the YADS and Geraldine Roche Arts Academy (GRAA) graduation ceremony under the theme, “Intense Conversations.”
This saw 27 thespians and dancers receive certificates, with comedian General Lesley steering proceedings at the event.
YADS Board Chairman, Lizwilethu Moyo read the World Theatre speech written by the Greek Theodoros Terzopoulos while introducing the Guest of Honour, founding Executive Director of the Zimbabwe Theatre Academy, Lloyd Nyikadzino.
Nyikadzino advocated for the establishment and support of theatre institutions to better the theatre landscape and livelihoods of those involved.
“Art is no longer a hobby but a profession. Let’s support this art form, and what’s critical is to establish arts academies and make sure they thrive. Art thrives on money, if you can’t attend theatre shows, you can buy tickets and give them away to those who love theatre. That will go away in helping this artform thrive,” he said.
He also paid homage to forerunners of the arts sector in Zimbabwe, including Walter Muparutsa and the late Cont Mhlanga,for leading the charge towards having theatre held in high esteem.
The 2025 YADS-GRAA Graduation cohort then showed the expectant crowd why they deserved to graduate when they acted out a social play depicting the typical happenings at mental hospitals.
Among the crowd was theatre expert and Centre for Talent Development (CTD) director, Thabani Moyo, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) Programmes Officer, William Nyandoro and soul singer, Maggie SoulBird.
Entertainment was provided by Trevor Mawaka’s Bulawayo Children’s Choir, Future Dube’s Khaya Arts Productions Juniors and Creative Culture.
The student thespians were taken through their paces in cinematography, directing, voice-over artistry, animation and that culminated in the production of a film called, “Ithunzi lokufa” and an animated piece to be released soon.
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