Back to Index

U.S. backs physical theatre training for Zim artists
US Embassy
July 19, 2012

The United States Embassy is supporting the Physical Actor & Creator workshop which participants hailed as a springboard for the revival of audience interest in theatre in Zimbabwe and a serious step forward in strengthening artists' capacity.

"Physical theatre is the future," said Lloyd Nyikadzino on the sidelines of a five-day seminar he is facilitating for over 30 young artists from Harare and Masvingo. "If we do this more and we get support from other professionals who have experience working on it, we could really advance the industry, because there is a lot of talent around," noted Nykadzino.

"People are now moving from sort of what we may call 'radio plays' where people just come in and say their lines and that's all," said Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi, a workshop participant. "Yes, of course people want to hear the words, but they also want that exciting, live visual aspect. Otherwise why would people pay $10 to $20 to go watch a theatre play when they could go and buy 2 DVD's for $1 instead?" asked the artist who has also featured in the films Heartbreak (2009) and Nothing (2008).

"Physical theatre has a future in Zimbabwe. That's what I believe. All along we have been complaining that Zimbabwe is not moving, it is stagnant, remaining at the same position, dialogue- driven," said Teddy Mangawa of Savannah Arts Trust, a grassroots theatre company. "We are coming here with youth zeal and hopefully we can improve theatre in Zimbabwe. For me, physical theatre is a starting point," said Mangawa who intends pursuing further studies in physical theatre in the United States.

The Physical Actor & Creator workshop is an initiative of Nyikadzino and aims to investigate the diverse and dynamic forces the actor/creator inhabits and brings to life via the character/creator with special attention paid to awareness of the physical acting space.

"As a recent graduate from the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theater, I felt compelled to share my experience and passion for theatre with other theatre thespians," said Nyikadzino.

In separate interviews, participants were optimistic about the outcome of the workshop.

"I have done some physical theatre before, but what Lloyd is coming up with is a practical side of it," said Mutumbi, who has performed in several plays including Colours of Dreams (directed by Eunice Tava), I Have A Dream (Sonia Norris), and Yours Abundantly From Zimbabwe (Zane E Lucas). "We are learning a lot in terms of how to express yourself with the body and how to be an actor/creator. It's not all about movement, it is also about how to create your own work, know your body, find new ways to express yourself and to come up with ideas that are not the same things over and over again," noted the young artist.

For Rumbidzai Karidze, an English and Theatre Arts graduate at the University of Zimbabwe, the seminar is more than just learning the art of physical theatre. "When I heard about the workshop I didn't think a lot of artists would turn up, but they have turned up and they really want to learn and know more about Physical Theatre," said the "Burn Makwerekwere Burn" actress.

"We are excited to be a partner in this initiative and to support Lloyd to share his new knowledge from the U.S. to strengthen the capacity of the many talented artists in Zimbabwe," said Jillian Bonnardeaux of the U.S. Embassy. "We hope this seminar and several exchange programs that continue between our two countries will assist in transforming the industry in a positive manner for both theatre practitioners and Zimbabwean audiences."

At the end of the seminar, the 30 artists will have learned about kinaesthetic awareness, ensemble communication, and maintaining vulnerability in creating a theatrical character. The workshop ends with the seminar participants displaying their collective knowledge on Friday July 20th at University of Zimbabwe's Beit Hall between 12.30 pm and 2:00 pm. Attendance is free and open to interested members of the public.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP