Giles Ramsay, founder of the international arts organisation Developing Artists said: This is an amazing opportunity for one of Zimbabwe’s most talented young actors to make his mark on the international stage and show the world that the arts in Zimbabwe are very much alive and well. The international casting also forces American actors and audience members alike to reconsider their perceptions about national reputations, race and the global culture we now live in.
Last year, Blessing Hungwe from Harare was selected from more than 100 actors to join a professional cast from America, Zimbabwe, Mexico and Romania in a production of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, which was staged at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire. Hungwe has gone on to make a success of his drama career and, in November, launches a new theatre project in Chitingwiza.
This year, Michael Kudakwashe joins actors from Mexico, Britain and America. The production will open at Northern Stage, Vermont in October 2008 and will be directed by Brooke Ciardelli.
Developing Artists has supported the work of artists in Zimbabwe since 2004 and has forged relationships with HIFA and Harare’s drama school, Theory X.
Developing Artists is a registered charity founded by Giles Ramsay to break down the barriers – practical or psychological – that prevent performing artists from fully developing their work and sharing it on the world stage.
Focusing primarily on regions where resources are not available to encourage creative ambitions, the organisation identifies, supports and promotes artists whilst also creating opportunities for them to make connections with each other, produce original work and perform nationally and internationally.
Zimbabwean playwright Stanley Makuwe, now based in New Zealand and taking his latest work to the TAPAC theatre.
African political satire on stage in New Zealand
New Zealand-based Zimbabwean writer Stanley Makuwe takes his political satire His Excellency is in Love to the TAPAC theatre in Auckland this June.
Post published in: Arts