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Zimbabwe: Theory X theatre Project
THEORY X
The purpose of the Theory X Theatre Project is to provide vocational training and employment to young talents who would otherwise fall amongst Zimbabwe’s 70% unemployed. Theory X aims to create a structure by which young actors can access the necessary resources, enabling them to produce new work reflecting the Zimbabwean experience, represent Zimbabwean culture in the surrounding region through theatrical tours, and develop an international standard of performance.
The aim is to develop Zimbabwe’s media capacity and human resources through film, television, music and theatre. To train a body of workers/artists, with the potential to develop into professional actors, directors, writers and producers, through intensive vocational training followed by work experience in television broadcasting and touring theatre.
Over the past ten years, Zimbabwean theatre has developed very little, especially in contrast to the diversity of theatre arts in neighbouring South Africa. With the country’s economic worries, little attention has been paid to cultural development, and with its political concerns Zimbabwean national pride has been crippled by low self-esteem. Theory X believes that thriving Zimbabwean theatre companies can empower local communities through high quality theatre, and represent the Zimbabwean people on the international stage creating a cultural dialogue beyond the current political quagmire.
Theatre in Zimbabwe has a long history, though the earlier initiatives were based on racial segregation and lead to separate theatre traditions and development. Since independence there has been a new impetus to develop theatre as a meaningful part of the nation. Theatre has been well represented at the major show piece of Zimbabwean art, the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA).
One of the more significant theatre companies to come out of the emerging Zimbabwean theatre has been the Over the Edge Company. Over the Edge has written and performed many plays to international acclaim and has performed successfully on three continents and at well known international forums such as the Edinburgh Festival for four years in a row.
Several of the members of the Over the Edge team are based in Harare and have developed a concept to expand and promote theatre, drama and television throughout Zimbabwe. This is the Theory X initiative. Theory X believes that thriving Zimbabwean theatre companies can empower local communities through high quality theatre, and represent the Zimbabwean people on the international stage creating a cultural dialogue beyond the current political quagmire.
In July 2005, 5 students were auditioned as a pilot programme for the Initiative. They have been attending daily training and rehearsals since October last year. Their achievements to date are as follows:
- Performed an
original playlet written by the group at the US Embassy celebration
of Harmony for Humanity on World Aids Day in 2005
- Written and
performed a full length original play at the Harare Festival of the
Arts in April 2006
- Re-run the show at
the prestigious 600 seat Performing Arts Centre at the Harare
International School for an extra 5 performances
- Been commissioned
by the Zimbabwe International Film Festival to create a short film
for the ‘Short Film Project’ within their festival. This is due in
early September 2006.
- One student has won the lead in a new film by Oscar nominated film director Darrell James Roodt (Yesterday 2005) currently being shot in Zimbabwe.
Alongside the Theatre Initiative, Theory X is developing a television production unit. With the boom in demand for African television programming within Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole, the organisation is well placed with artists receiving training in performance for stage as well as camera. This will afford actors more opportunities to go on and make a career out of their extensive training.
Thus far the organisation is self funded and through a shrewd allocation of the very limited resources of the individual directors themselves, they have managed to equip this basic television unit as well as maintain a minimum salary for all the performers involved.
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PROJECT SUMMARY
The Theory X initiative outlined in this proposal will fill a crucial gap in the Zimbabwean arts and culture arena, and develop an inspiration model for the regional art community.
Situational Analysis. The consistently deteriorating economic conditions in recent years has resulted in scant attention being paid to cultural development in Zimbabwe. This has resulted in an absolute lack of opportunities for young Zimbabweans to enter into theatre, with very few public productions and virtually no school-aged theatre programmes. Similarly, the lack of theatre has shut down an essential means of public dialogue when it is most needed in the tense Zimbabwean political situation.
Theory X Background. Theory X is a collaborative theatre and media organisation, led by young Zimbabwean professionals with significant experience in drama, music, television and film both in Zimbabwe and internationally. Theory X is a group commitment to develop Zimbabwe into a robust artistic nation, proud of its cultural assets and recognised internationally for its local talent.
In its pilot year, with almost no financial resources, Theory X managed to recruit and train 5 young Zimbabweans who formed the founding Theory X drama troupe, who have already performed original work at several high profile venues to more than 500 audience members. Demonstrating the potential of Theory X’s intensive pre-professional training, one student has won the lead in a new film by Oscar nominated film director Darrell James Roodt (Yesterday 2005) currently being shot in Zimbabwe.
Based on the success of this pilot year effort, Theory X has developed formal partnerships with several key organisations who will contribute to the realisation of this initiative, including: the Harare International Festival for the Arts, the British Council Zimbabwe, the University of Zimbabwe Drama and Theatre Department, Reps Theatre, and an initial cadre of 5 secondary schools in Harare.