Performing arts experts in Malawi have stressed the need for good mechanisms to help acting talents in secondary schools to break through into professional acting after secondary education.
Information sourced from Association of Teaching English in Malawi (Atem) offices indicate that most Atem actors do not venture into acting after school due to lack of theatre groups.
Again most settled theatre groups do not recognise new talents.
This has forced former Biwi Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) drama club stars to join hands and form their own theatre group to continue with their talents. The theatre group is called Umoja Arts Theatre.
The actors, 15 in total, have also roped in 10 other best actors who were at Lilongwe Girls, Tsabango and SOS secondary schools.
Director of the group Saidi Langa-Lulanga said the decision was made after appreciating the success story the group registered while at school.
“The 15 actors were doing well in both Atem and Lyco drama competitions. Biwi CDSS has won Lyco drama competition twice in a row because of this team and this shows there is talent in the crew. So we don’t want to lose the talent that is why we have formed an arts group,†said Langa-Lulanga.
He also pointed out that the group will stretch its hands to cultural dances.
Kick-starting the journey, the group has written a play titled Mistakes from the Past. It was premiered for the first time at Lilongwe Community Centre Hall on Sunday afternoon.
According to Langa-Lulanga the play touches on the impact of other cultures such as Kulowa Kufa, Kuchotsa Fumbi and Chokolo and why these should be abandoned. The 90-minute, Mistakes from the past also carries some political elements that teach society that politicians are different by identity but they wear the same face.
Speaking in a phone interview, National Theatre Association of Malawi (Ntam) Central Region Chapter secretary general James Kitchen hailed the group for the decision saying if this system is embraced more talent will be saved from extinction.
