Mzuni stages 21 plays

Mzuzu University (Mzuni) students have staged about 21 plays as part of their continuous assessment in the attainment of bachelor’s degrees with drama as a majoring subject.

The stage performances, which started on Monday and ended yesterday, were meant to give second and fourth year students an opportunity to put into practice theory learnt in class.

Actor-turned-drama lecturer, Misheck Mzumara, said in an interview that the students were required to write plays, prepare costume, rehearse and stage the plays as part of their theatre for development, and theory and practice of drama courses.

Mzumara said these courses are important to students as they prepare them to take up educative roles in society after graduation.

“Theatre for development is educative to the public, especially for institutions into civic education and awareness initiatives like the National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice). Such institutions need individuals with the technical know-how of our graduates,” he said.

Mzumara, who has recently relocated to Mzuzu after spending years with Nanzikambe Arts in Blantyre, said Mzuni is also geared to reviving theatre in the city.

Earlier this month, the institution through Mzuzu University Theatre Arts Group (Mutag) staged The Messenger done by Mzumara and Final Faith Fools done by his colleague Misheck Banda.

“Being a staff associate at Mzuni is not the end of my career. In fact, it is the beginning of another chapter where we want Mutag to be a drama group not for students only, but for those around the college who are interested in theatre. This, we believe, will help revive stage theatre in the Northern Region,” said Mzumara. n