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A TOTAL of 120 vulnerable children will on Saturday graduate with theatre certificates at the debut Theatre for Everyone awards ceremony at the Bulawayo Theatre.
The children who underwent a theatre training programme for a year will also get the chance to showcase their talent on stage.
The programme launched by playwright and director Nonhlalo Dube will see the children aged between 10 and 18 years getting accolades.
The children were drawn from Emthunzini Wethemba Children’s home, Khayelihle Children’s Village, John Smale Children’s home, Sandra Jones Children’s home and the SOS Children’s Village.
Dube said winners in specified categories which include best production, best actor, actress, best supporting actress, best supporting actor and the best stage set would be awarded shields. The home which will be awarded best overall play will receive a floating trophy.
“Theatre for Everyone was launched last year. It is a programme that intends to train, motivate, develop and empower the overlooked sections of our society with comprehensive theatre skills.
Each year a new group of trainees is strategically selected to undergo training in various disciplines of theatre,” Dube said.
She said the programme was launched last year after a snap survey conducted by ND Productions revealed that certain social groups were being left out in various arts programmes with much focus going to established artistes and areas of easy access.
“The programme has been well received by the community and our new target group introduced in the year 2014 is a group of young women/single mothers living in selected remote areas of Matabeleland,” Dube said.
She added that the programme was being supported by HIVOS.
Online Reporter