ALMASI, a Zimbabwean-American dramatic arts collaborative organisation, will tomorrow present a staged reading of Her Portmanteau by Nigerian-American female Mfoniso Udofia at the Pavilion, Zimbabwe German Society in the capital.
A stage reading, also known as a staged reading, is a form of theatre without sets or full costumes.
The actors, who read from scripts, may be seated, standing in fixed positions, or incorporate minimal stage movement.
Almasi’s associate artistic director Elizabeth Zaza Muchemwa said the staged reading would be directed by talented actor and promising theatre director Munashe Goromonzi, adding that it would feature new and experienced actors.
She said the presentation was in pursuit of Almasi’s goal to introduce Zimbabwean audiences to works by African writers in the diaspora.
“We are excited to bring Udofia’s writing for the first time to the Zimbabwean public.
“We are looking forward to audiences interacting with Goromonzi’s directorial debut,” Muchemwa said.
“The staged reading of Her Portmanteau provides us with an opportunity to present a play written by a Nigerian-American female writer and helmed by a Zimbabwean female director.”
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Muchemwa said the reading was free and open to the public to encourage audience development and interaction with the community in the post-performance talkback sessions. The synopsis of Her Portmanteau play revolves around a decade after Abasiama first immigrated to America, where the full impact of her decision to send away her daughter, erupts when Abasiama’s family is reunited.
As Nigerian traditions clash with the realities of American life, Abasiama and her daughters must confront complex familial legacies that span time, geography, language and culture.
“I am grateful for my directorial debut with Udofia’s Her Portmanteau. I aim, with the help of my creative team, to create a poignant production that captures the depth and complexity of the play’s themes and that will stay with the audience long after the curtain falls,” Goromonzi said.
The staged reading series has seen Almasi, the brainchild of Patience Tawengwa and veteran Hollywood actress, Danai Gurira, presenting several staged readings in Zimbabwe.
