Zimbo Jam

Bulawayo’s biggest annual arts festival, Intwasa, has launched the 2012 edition of its theatre competition for high schools, with support from Plan Zimbabwe.

Intwasa Arts Festival this year runs under the theme Blooming.

The competition reaches out to high schools from both urban and rural communities. Finalists will get the opportunity to showcase their plays at the festival in September.

Plan is supporting the High Schools Drama Competition for the second time and says its objective is to create space for children to tell their own stories through theatre.

Participating schools are expected to come up with 20-minute plays that support Plan’s global campaign called Because I am a Girl (BIAAG).

Plan Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo Program Unit Manager, Tsungai Mahumucha, said the competition presents an opportunity for children to unleash their  acting talents while sending out advocacy messages which are aimed at improving the lives all children, in particular girls.

“The competition challenges secondary school children to reflect on their societies, identify challenges and opportunities for children, especially girls and package the ideas in a spell-binding manner for the different audiences to appreciate the talents inherent in children but also sending messages of hope and celebration,” said Ms Mahumucha.

Gertrude Ndlovu, Plan Bulawayo’s Child Rights Coordinator said the main theme for the high school competition is to allow students to conceptualize ideas that will act as voices of the girl child who may not have an opportunity to be heard. The BIAAG’s sub theme for the competition is Girls’ Rights and Opportunities for Education.

 “The idea is to challenge young people to tell their own stories, through their own eyes and to be part of the global discourse on gender equity,” said Ms Ndlovu.

Preliminary rounds will be held between July and August 2012.

There will be a prize for the most outstanding play and the two runners up. There will also be individual prizes for the best actor, best supporting actor, best actress, best supporting actress, best cameo role and best director.