Young Developers Collaboration (YDC) Theatre in partnership with the High Commission of Canada on Saturday celebrated Day of the African Child by engaging students at Jacaranda School of Orphans in Blantyre in creative workshops and performances. Held under the theme ‘Cultural Education for All’, YDC Theatre, which has in recent times staged a number of productions, sparked cultural pride among young people by holding workshops in visual arts led by Christina Bwanali while Alinafe Chikoko brought stories to life in a theatre workshop, with Tenson Austin from Dikamawoko Arts facilitating the traditional dance workshop. After the workshops, the students in the three disciplines showcased their works that received kudos from the audience.
Before the learners showcased their works, YDC Theatre served a sketch that spoke highly about youth empowerment. Next on the menu was a visual arts exhibition that exposed the students’ rich talent as they displayed beautiful paintings telling different stories before those, who were engaged in theatre served their production. The play, utilising modern drama skills, dared students not to look down upon each other regardless of their underperformances.
The climax was exciting as it featured traditional dances which included Chisamba, performed in the Central Region, and Tchopa from the Southern Region. YDC Theatre Director Fumbani Phiri said their actions on the day were all about celebrating culture, adding that “this is just a pilot programme but we have more coming”. “Art is within young people and, so, it needs to be embraced.
We are thankful to High Commission of Canada for partnering us,” the playwright and actor, whose group represented the country in Germany this year with a play titled Journey to Lampedusa , said. He also revealed that they would be holding two festivals next month including Udolo Wanga School Performing Arts Festival that seeks to relay messages of gender-based violence, climate change, corruption and sexual reproductive health rights. YDC Theatre is also expected to perform at this year’s Lake of Stars Festival set for Fish Eagle Bay in Nkhotakota from September 6 to 8.
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