Online Reporter
Bruce Ndlovu, Online Reporter
Nine years after shaking up Bulawayo’s theatre scene by giving young writers and actors a platform, Theatre for Everyone is back—this time in a new form that promises to break even more barriers for aspiring creatives.
Launched in 2016, Theatre for Everyone was initially designed to promote emerging talent. Its success saw it grow from the National Art Gallery to larger venues like the then-Elite 400, drawing impressive crowds and acclaim. Now, the platform returns with a new concept: Theatre for Everyone – Audio.
“Theatre for Everyone is back in sound, with a new title: Theatre for Everyone – Audio,” said Nonhlalo Dube, Director of ND Productions and the creative force behind the project. “In 2016, we launched this program, producing eight productions that brought local stories to life on stage. Eight visionary directors and over 50 actors and crew collaborated for a year of energy, creativity, and packed houses. But by the end of the year, the economic downturn slowed everything down.”
Fast-forward to 2025, and the team has found a way to reignite the flame—this time using the power of sound. TFE Audio is a passion project offering a free platform for playwrights and storytellers to share their work without the burden of financial constraints. Audio play readings are recorded and shared via social media, allowing theatre to live on in a more accessible and sustainable form.
“The response has been amazing,” Dube said. “We launched with a play titled It Never Rains, and the feedback encouraged us to keep going. We’re growing a listening community and hoping to turn listeners into live audience members in the future. We’re also planning to upload the audio plays to platforms like Spotify.”
TFE Audio already has a packed lineup. The next productions include Everyday Heroes and Siyatabalaza, with plans to release one to two new audio plays each month. The initiative is also looking to collaborate with fiction writers, adapting their short stories into audio theatre.
“Our vision is to keep listeners entertained and engaged, while opening doors for writers and actors who might otherwise be left on the margins,” Dube said.
