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Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Writer
THE Zimbabwe Theatre Academy Trust (ZTAT) has opened up enrolment for academic arts courses as it is now fully accredited and registered to offer professional courses by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology.
This move is set to go a long way in ensuring that theatre players take the art as a business and also showcase professionalism.
Established in 2017, the academy has been an important national launch pad for new theatre makers in Zimbabwe.
Dedicated to the development and professionalisation of theatre in Zimbabwe, the Academy has provided specialised accessible training programmes, community outreaches, performances, festivals and collaborations.
The academy is comprised of qualified and working practitioners, who include Lloyd Nyikadzino, Teddy Mangawa, Zaza Muchemwa, Zane Lucas, Erin Sticklen, Dudu Manhenga, Cadrick Msongelwa, Everson Ndlovu, Marian Kunonga, Ronald Sigeca, Melody Zambuko, Hazel Mwenye, Tinashe Jeri and several local and international part-time instructors.
Nyikadzino said classes will be conducted at Reps Theatre in Harare as from March.
“Zimbabwe Theatre Academy is calling for candidates who are interested in advancing their professional acting, writing, and directing skills path to audition for the following 2024 training programmes namely Certificate in Theatre Arts (1year/2 semesters) and Diploma in Advanced Ensemble Based Physical and Devised Theatre (2 years/4 semesters).
“Students are admitted through a physical or online audition and on-site call-back. All classes will start on the 4th of March 2024,” said Nyikadzino.
He said the academy has other training programmes and the one-year full-time target for interested candidates that are 18 years and above.
“Most lessons will be held in person and a few online for instructors who will be conducting their lessons or talking from outside the country. Under the national certificate (NC), we are currently offering the NC in Theatre Arts (Hexco) and the National actor-creator certificate program (ZTA),” said Nyikadzino.
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