COLLABORATION among artists and theatre practitioners leads to more innovative, impactful and inclusive artistic endeavours, ASSITEJ Zimbabwe chairperson Chipo Basopo-Chindungwe has said.
ASSITEJ Zimbabwe is a national association promoting theatre for children and young people.
Basopo-Chindungwe, who is also the Precious Children’s Arts organisation (Pica) executive director, made the remarks ahead of the forthcoming commemorations of World Theatre Day for Children and Young People on March 20.
In a ground-breaking move ahead of the commemorations to be held under the theme: Take a Child to the Theatre Today, ASSITEJ Zimbabwe has joined hands with the arts mother body, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Theatre Academy, Pica and the Primary and Secondary Education ministry.
Also on board for the commemorations are Jasen Mpepo Little Theatre, Pastime Trust, LITFEST, SWWA and Heritage Village.
“By leveraging on the collective talents, perspectives and resources of multiple collaborators, artists can create works that transcend individual limitations and resonate more profoundly with audiences,” she told NewsDay Life & Style.
“Through collaborations, we also learn from each other and bring unique skills and experiences to the table which will also bring about a wider audience mobilisation.”
Also, as a way of commemorating World Theatre Day celebrated annually on March 27, Basopo-Chindungwe said a week-long series of events that will encompass activities aimed at fostering love for the arts among Zimbabwe’s youths were lined up from March 20 to 27.
- Chipawo relaunches youth theatre hub
- Enormous collaboration for World theatre commemorations
Keep Reading
She said to ensure memorable and impactful commemorations, their programming would feature an array of theatrical performances, dance, storytelling, poetry, puppetry, workshops and interactive activities across various venues in Harare not only to entertain, but also to educate and inspire young audiences.
“As a beacon for young talents within the Zimbabwean arts and culture sector, we are inviting children, educators and families to immerse themselves in the transformative power of theatre. Join us in this celebration of creativity, diversity and the arts as we ignite the spark of theatre in every child,” she noted.
“This year’s theme, Take a Child to the Theatre Today, underscores our commitment to making theatre accessible to all children, enriching their educational journey and igniting their creative spark.”
She continued: “The world theatre day celebrations do not only entertain, but educates, aiming to instil a deep appreciation for the arts, encourage cultural pride and inspire the next generation of artists and audiences.
“We believe in the transformative potential of theatre to bring communities together, bridge cultural divides and celebrate the universal stories that connect us all.”
Basopo-Chindungwe further indicated that the commemorations highlights include the official opening ceremony on March 20 at Jasen Mpepo Little Theatre were Dhiya, a production for young audience will be performed. A theatre discussion on how important it is to take a child to the theatre will also be part of programming on the day.
March 23 has been set as the Children’s Performance Day, a platform for young talents to showcase their gifts. Schools and individual performers are welcome to register and participate.
Also, as part of the programming, LitFest school’s poetry slam competition will be launched. This school’s poetry slam competition will unfold in various series throughout the year, culminating in the grand finale in November.
“LitFest has introduced a special program for schools to participate in the festival. The school’s poetry slam competition will unfold in various series throughout the year, culminating in the grand finale in November.
“Participants will also attend the LitFest Schools Poetry Slam workshop, where they will learn about the rules of the competition. This initiative not only fosters creativity, but also empowers young voices to share their stories and experiences,” she added.
