"It is vital at this time that Zimbabwe retains a creative connection with the rest of the world. The work of Developing Artists is essential in maintaining this connection."
Manuel Bagorro, Director of The Harare International Festival of the Arts
PROJECT HISTORY
Having begun as a small grassroots mentoring programme in 2004 the Zimbabwean project grew to such an extent that 2006 saw the presentation in The National Gallery of Zimbabwe of a new play Territory as part of The Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA). Two local actors, Victor Mavedzenge and Michael Kudakwashe, were selected and work began on creating a play based upon stories from their own lives. Following HIFA Territory toured to The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and The Flowers East Gallery and Artsdepot in London.
In May 2007 the Broadway actor Kevin Loreque and The Northern Stage Theatre Company from Vermont, USA went out to teach and perform at HIFA. The show I Am My Own Wife subsequently toured to The Assembly Rooms as part of The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A new play Crocodile was also performed at HIFA using an entirely local cast. In July one of the actors from Crocodile, Blessing Hungwe, travelled to America to join with two Mexican actors from another Developing Artists project and a professional American cast to perform Ovid's Tales of Metamorphoses at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire. Whilst in America Blessing also took part in a staged reading of Crocodile at Northern Stage starring actress Lisa Harrow.
In 2008 Michael Kudakwashe travelled to America to appear in the first professional out-of-New York production of Alan Bennett's The History Boys. Then in 2009 a full production of Oedipus Tyrannus was staged at HIFA involving some 40 local artists and creatives. The charity also sent a production assistant from the UK to work for HIFA in the run-up to and for the duration of the festival. In 2010 this success was repeated with a locally cast and rehearsed production of Eduardo Erba's play Marathon, which was staged in Harare and Bulawayo.
"Developing Artists gave me the experience and the opportunity that has been fundamental to my career and life. But, not only that, I managed to cement friendships based on mutual respect of our differing talents and personalities with people from all walks of life."
Blessing Hungwe
"The most important thing I learnt from Developing Artists is that no dream is too big."
John Pfumojena
2011
In 2011 a new play by Developing Artists Apprentice Blessing Hungwe, Burn Mukwerekwere Burn, was premiered at HIFA. It was directed by Giles Ramsay who also ran a series of educational and practical workshops whilst in Harare. The five man show received rave reviews and standing ovations every night and was extended for a further run at the Alliance Francaise in Harare, and at Reps Theatre, before touring around Zimbabwe.
Please click on the links below for online articles on Burn Mukwerekwere Burn:
Extract from Burn Mukwerekwere Burn
2012 AND BEYOND
This year we are starting a new project in Zimbabwe, as detailed below:
PROJECT OUTLINE
* Developing Artists will work with the Harare-based Ndiripo Kana Muripo (I Am Well If You Are Well) Theatre Collective to create a series of grassroots drama productions in Zimbabwe, which will increase constructive outlets for individual creativity and long-term opportunities for professional development. The first of these, When Angels Weep, will be staged at HIFA 2012.
* The charity will work with The NKM Collective to help them discover and develop previously untold stories and memories. Developing Artists will provide financial and logistical support and send out international practitioners in devised drama, directing, production, acting and management. They will work with The Collective to help them develop the skills they need to further expand the scope of their work.
* The charity will work with NKM to help them devise a series of plays based on a range of local issues. These will range from political, economic and social unrest to AIDS and HIV; from human trafficking to women's rights. Developing Artists will also provide training to enable members of The Collective to conduct complimentary educational workshops themselves as they tour the productions around Zimbabwe
* The productions will be performed in local schools and community centres and will entertain, educate and provoke discussion in a country where the Arts have often been severely undervalued and supressed. NKM will leave a legacy that will contribute to the development of a new generation of artists and audiences in Zimbabwe.
* This project will enable Developing Artists to support and extend the long-term work of The NKM Collective helping them realize their ambition to become the leading production company for a new generation in Zimbabwe.
* Especially talented individuals will be identified throughout the project and awarded Developing Artists Apprenticeships for further training in the UK or USA helping members of The Collective to connect with the wider international community.
* In due course Developing Artists will look to extend the project model to neighbouring African countries where the charity has already established partnerships. These include Botswana, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa.
