Story by Raynald Ngwarati
ZIMBABWE’S local theatre and film scene received a major creative boost as six emerging playwrights participated in a two-week Re-Write Masterclass led by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Lynn Nottage, hosted at the Zimbabwe German Society in Harare.
Running from July 5 to 19, the programme, part of Almasi Collaborative Arts’ inaugural Africa Voices Now! Festival of New African Plays, brought together local talent including Amanda Ranganawa, Batsirai Chigama, Kingsley Chinhanu, Philani Amadeus Nyoni, Rudo Mutangadura, and Tatenda Mutyambizi.
Under Nottage’s mentorship, participants refined their scripts to international standards, aiming to bring authentic African narratives to global stages.
“It is high time African voices are heard on the world stage. We want them to be in the best shape and form that they can be. It is imperative that we have homegrown stories to ignite an African renaissance,” Nyoni said.
“We are so grateful that she took some time out to come to Zimbabwe to help us develop our plays so that our plays are not only good for the local market, but the international market also,” Ranganawa noted.
Almasi Collaborative Arts says the programme was not just about writing, but about building capacity for Zimbabwean theatre to thrive globally.
“For us, it is very important that we train creatives, it is the only way available to fully professionalise the industry. So, bringing in a two-time Pulitzer-winning playwright, is a big win for our industry. It is very important to learn from someone who has a wealth of experience,” Programmes Coordinator Al Massi, Collaborative Arts, Gideon Wabvuta said.
I have been impressed by how robust the playwrights and actors are. The scripts I came across are very diverse and well written, carrying diverse subject matters,” Award winning playwright, Lynn Nottage expressed.
The two-week masterclass concluded with a public showcase of their works-in-progress on July 19, demonstrating the promise and creativity of Zimbabwe’s next generation of storytellers.
