Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Sunday Life Reporter
BULAWAYO-BORN actor Lonesome Kudzaishe Tapiwa is proving that local talent can shine on the world’s biggest stages after earning a place at the Biennale College Teatro 2026 in Venice, Italy for a four-week intensive acting programme.
Held from May 25 to June 21 as part of the 54th International Theatre Festival, the programme brought together 11 young actors under the age of 30 from countries including Switzerland, Ireland, Italy, Chile, India, Germany, Lebanon, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.
Known locally for his performances in theatre productions such as The Taking and Fragile and for his role as Thabo in the YouTube drama series Amacala, produced by his mentor Raisedon Baya, Tapiwa was selected from hundreds of applicants worldwide to join the inaugural Biennale College Teatro programme hosted by La Biennale di Venezia, one of the world’s most prestigious arts institutions.
The selection was overseen by acclaimed Hollywood actor Willem Dafoe, artistic director of the Theatre Department at La Biennale di Venezia. Dafoe is best known to global audiences as the iconic villain Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy (and Spider-Man: No Way Home). He also portrayed assassin Marcus in John Wick.
For Tapiwa, the opportunity to learn from Dafoe and other internationally renowned theatre practitioners marked a major milestone in his career.
“Meeting and working with Willem Dafoe was a quiet highlight for me. There are no big words needed for it, only gratitude for the opportunity to learn from someone whose work I have respected for years.
“He’s very attentive, humble and playful. He has a way of making you forget that you are even working because he believes that work should be fun,” Tapiwa said.
He said the experience expanded his understanding of theatre and gave him valuable lessons that he will carry throughout his career.
“He taught me that nothing is too small or too big to matter. He also showed me how important it is to embrace your uniqueness while remaining aware and mindful of your surroundings.”
During the programme, Tapiwa also trained under acclaimed theatre director Simon McBurney, choreographers Mary and Evangelia Rantou and theatre director Silvia Costa.
Participants also attended productions at the International Theatre Festival, where they interacted with leading directors and theatre-makers from across the globe.
Beyond the training, the experience gave Tapiwa the chance to connect with fellow actors from around the world.
“It was humbling to sit in a room with people who grew up so far from Bulawayo, yet who understood the same hunger for truth on stage that I do.
“One of the biggest highlights of my trip was connecting with my 10 fellow participants from different countries, who are now like family to me. I love them dearly, and I wish nothing but the very best for each of them as they continue on their journeys,” he said.
