KEY POINTS
- Raisedon Baya urges action to address Bulawayo’s theatre gap.
- Baya highlights lack of theatre resources and planning.
- World Theatre Day sparks Baya’s call for change in Bulawayo.
Citing the unrealized potential of the city’s arts scene, renowned playwright, director, and arts administrator Raisedon Baya has urged Bulawayo thespians to have a greater enthusiasm for theater and performances. On March 27, he made these remarks as the world commemorated World Theatre Day.
Baya challenges Bulawayo thespians to embrace theatre’s potential.
Baya said in a statement that the city’s cultural culture has not lived up to expectations and that he is both saddened and guilty about Bulawayo’s lack of theater activity.
“World Theatre Day is today, and I feel a mixture of guilt and sadness,” Baya remarked. “Although I’m not aware of any shows happening in my city, I had hoped to celebrate by going to a live performance.”
He went on, “I promised to do something to honor this day last year, but time passed and I didn’t do anything. I’ll probably hear lectures on the value of theater, but to be honest, theater doesn’t require words. Action is required. It must be witnessed and felt. No more lip service. Let’s make the theater come to life. Regular performances are necessary in our city.
Established by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in 1962, World Theatre Day is observed on March 27. ITI Centers and the international theater community observe it all around the world.
Baya emphasized the lack of discussion on the city’s arts sector, which he characterized as complex and dangerous.
Lack of resources and planning threaten Bulawayo’s theatre scene.
It’s the silence brought on by a lack of actors and directors, inadequate planning, a lack of resources and suitable locations, working in silos, and the loss of one of the most important art forms. It’s also the silence brought on by a lack of structures and materials to support theater. “That’s a lot,” he remarked.
According to News day, Super Patriots and Morons, Madmen and Fools, and The Crocodile of Zambezi are some of Baya’s well-known works; the latter won him the Novib-PEN International Freedom of Expression Award. His plays are frequently bold, provocative, and foretelling.
According to Baya, “theatre simply requires us to be selfless.” “In order to produce quality theater and leave a lasting impression on others, we must find passionate individuals and encourage them to work together.”
