ITI Zim publishes newsletter

The online publication covers theatre reviews that have been published in different newspapers and magazines; news from different committees of the International Theatre Institute; theatre events in different parts of the country; theatre festivals taking part in different parts of the world; stories about theatre productions, theatre groups and organisations; profiles of theatre practitioners and tips on different aspects of theatre making.

The newsletter, which is published with the support of the International Theatre Institute’s Young Practitioners Committee and the Global Arts Trust, is edited by Elizabeth Muchemwa, who is the secretary of the Interim Committee of the ITI Zimbabwe Centre. The publication’s first edition was published in June.

The July edition of MeTambo News has a discussion piece about Almansi Collaborative Arts, an organisation that regularly conducts play reading sections in Harare.
The organisation is quoted as having stated that its Almansi play reading series “pursues a core value of education in dramatic arts for without awareness and understanding of some of the great dramatic works, Zimbabwean dramatic arts cannot develop to the level of dramatic literacy necessary to create compelling well-structured dramatic works. The goal of Almansi is to facilitate excellent new Zimbabwean works into existence works that compete on global level and leave behind a Zimbabwean dramatic literature legacy.”

Also featured in the July edition is a piece entitled “Journey to Africa: In Africa” by Traver Mudzonga, who is a Harare-based theatre production designer and photographer.
In this articles, Mudzonga discusses what he calls African theatre design with reference to a set he designed for Augustine Strindberg’s “Comrades” that was directed by Patience Tawengwa.

In a piece entitled “Peace at Last”, Tatenda Dube discusses various aspects of a physical theatre workshop conducted by Lloyd Nyikadzino at the University of Zimbabwe when he returned from his theatre studies in California.

Lunga states: “Before the workshop, I thought my body was done, for I was 24 and a mother of year old boy. I never thought it was possible for me to jump, kick or run.
“But physical theatre experience proved me wrong. In only one week, I started spinning on my second day, of course with some difficulties as I had a shoulder that hurt and finally with some help from my mates, I spun.

“I was stunned. That built so much confidence in me that even today I feel that my body is strong enough to do anything physical.
“Physical theatre had washed away my depression. I regained my confidence.”

Nohlalo Dube, in her piece entitled “Women in Theatre For Women by Women” discusses the Women in Theatre Mentorship Programme of Nhimbe Trust in collaboration with Amakhosi Theatre in Bulawayo which launched its play “Song of a Woman” in March 2013. The play was part of the Amakhosi Theatre’s Plays on Sunday Programme.

Bulawayo-based Mgcini Nyoni writes in his piece “My Life in Theatre” about his theatre journey since 2004 when as a student at Dinyane High School in Tsholotsho, he first got involved in theatre.

Nyoni declares: “While some individuals have made it in theatre whilst not residing in Harare or Bulawayo, it is an undeniable fact that geographical location has a huge bearing to the success or failure of a theatre practitioner in Zimbabwe.”

Other pieces in the July edition of MeTambo News are by Gideon Mabvuto, who writes about theatre arts at the University of Zimbabwe; Peace Muwara who writes about information age and the survival of theatre in Zimbabwe; a piece by Dylan Wilson Max about his theatre work in Zimbabwe and South Africa; Privillage Mutendera in her review of the Playwrights Workshop Phase One organised by the British Council in collaboration with Royal Theatre Court in Johannesburg in June.

Mutendera was a member of the Zimbabwean playwrights group that is participating in the advanced playwriting course.
The group includes Blessing Hungwe, Kevin Hanssen, Leonard Matsa, Elizabeth Muchemwa, Sifiso Mabhena, Nelson Mapako, Rudo Mutangadura, Mgcini Nyoni, Nohlalo Dube and Musekiwas Samuriwo.

In the section about theatre groups and organisation the July edition covers the work of Bulawayo-based Bembelela Arts Enseble and Harare-based Patsime Edutainment Trust and their work in different communities and the International Theatre Institute-Zimbabwe Centre’s Schools Theatre Mentorship programme.

Also feature in the July edition is “A SWOT Analysis of Theatre in Zimbabwe” — a very personal view of Stephen Chifunyise, which was discussed at the National Theatre Indaba held in Gweru in April and Kevin Hanssen’s “Jump Theatre” — a column on how to make plays.

MeTambo News shows just in these two editions how much theatre is not being covered by our print and electronic media.
The coverage of reviews of plays that have been performed should assist theatre groups with information on plays they can secure for their own productions as it is difficult for theatre groups to access published Zimbabwean plays.

Hats off to Elizabeth Muchemwa and Lloyd Nyikadzino and their team of editors and writers for this valuable monthly publication on theatre.

Feedback: [email protected].