By Danson J Kireti
Creative ability is special. Everyone was born with something inconspicuous. Something finely detailed to believe in and count on in life. It sifts you from the rest. It’s an x-factor. It’s deeply etched in your flesh and no one can take it from you.
It’s an expedition through the rugged terrains of life to discover oneself. When the quest is finally bestowed, another uphill task begins. The journey to flourish in this competitive world. A world that cares less of whether you started out with a silver spoon or from hand to mouth. A world that favors the fittest to survive.
Time is of essence when talent is at hand. Like any other ability, creativity must be identified at the budding stage and nurtured.
Gone are the days when acting was considered a less serious endeavor in life. Parents would tell their kids to get serious in life. Lupita is a well learnt lesson to dear parents. Her up and lows in the film industry and support from parents made her the first African to bag an Oscar. She is no exemption but too started in stage plays here in Kenyan theatres.
Every actor or actress’ resume entails a theatre background. Most have been members of school drama clubs, done set books in the Kenya National Theatre or Alliance Francaise or even started from community theatre. They simply have learnt on the job as Rogers Otieno {InteracTeam Director} puts it. “We have no theatre school nor do creative art enthusiasts have a consolation place. It’s high time someone comes to rescue the talent butchered in silence and Spielworks Media in conjunction with InteracTeam have a salvage program in the pipeline,” says Rodgers Otieno. Strong stage presence is key while stage fright is an impediment in the making of an actor or actress. Many may have what it takes but fear clouds it up not to talk of less or lack of support.
Rogers Otieno rehearsing for “Githaa”
Spielworks Media and InteracTeam Media are aimed at utilizing the amazing creative arts talent in stage performance, Githaa manifests what we are presenting on stage. We are exploring the boundaries of film-making and going back to the basics. From screen we have diverged to telling African stories on stage, like the cliché African kitchen presenting a delicious, sumptuous home cooked meal. Nothing brings back the memories like mama’s cooking.
Githaa… Validating Dreams
“We need to appreciate our indigenous artistic culture. Theatre helps us understand our community and further more analyze ourselves critically. Tourists should not only be attracted to Kenyan wildlife but also to theatre. It’s the only place they can get to understand and demystify our contemporary lifestyles,” concludes Rodgers.
Families and institutions of learning should have a primary goal to discover and develop creative arts. With Lupitas, days of discouraging children from pursuing their passion as in acting should be buried in a forgotten grave. Spielworks Media with InteracTeam Media has also started a kids drama club where children aged between 5-12 yrs are taught the fundamentals of stage presence, communication and other artistic skills.
The Spielworks Media Kids Drama Club
With Githaa, Spielworks Media opens the stage with a solemn promise of more endearing performances to come. Running from 29th, 30th, and 31st of August at the Italian Institute of Culture at 7:00pm. Githaa is a story of Nite, a struggling girl who beyond all means is focused in making it in the arts industry. Our potential audience now ought to support stage performances by buying tickets to watch the play.
Tickets are available at the Italian Institute of Culture, Opp Jacaranda Hotel, Westlands or at Spielworks Media[5th Flr Parkfield Place, off Waiyaki Way along Muthangari Drive that’s directly opposite the New Safaricom Hse].
You can also call 0706623685 or 0204451266 to book a ticket.