Society Reporter
ROOFTOP PROMOTIONS, one of the top theatre producing entities in Zimbabwe, is developing new strategies to survive as the arts sector faces stagnant growth and struggles to attract new audiences, The Sunday Mail Entertainment has gathered.
Instead of complaining about the situation, the entity and other theatre professionals are implementing various measures to overcome these challenges.
Daves Guzha, a producer and director at Rooftop Promotions, attributed this lack of growth to the theatre practitioners themselves.
He said: “In my opinion, theatre producers have been creating content for the wrong audiences. Essentially, we have not been responsible content producers.”
After a period of self-reflection, Guzha believes they have discovered the key to success.
“The trick lies in producing content which resonates with audiences. When we produce quality productions, the audiences will naturally grow.”
To ensure everyone benefits from the company’s success, Guzha has implemented a new business model, where profits are shared equally among the production team.
He believes this incentivises all team members to contribute their best efforts.
Additionally, Rooftop has diversified its offerings to include musical concerts at Theatre in the Park.
However, due to lower-than-expected returns, the company is scaling back on the live shows and focusing on its core theatre business.
“We are cutting down on live musical shows. We are not getting returns on investment and that is the reason we are now reverting to our core business,” revealed Guzha.
The theatre organisation is actively nurturing new talent through its “Creative Showcase” platform, providing a stage for aspiring artistes to showcase their abilities.
The company maintains a consistent production schedule, premièring two plays each month.
Daniel Maposa, the executive director of Savanna Trust, a non-profit organisation specialising in theatre, noted the need for theatre groups to formulate business models that capacitate them in sustainable ways.
“As theatre groups, we are at a crossroads. We are facing viability problems and our growth is stunted.
“The quality and consistency in the production of plays determine the kind of audience you attract. People do not pay to watch substandard productions that are produced after long, dry spells.
“The audiences are dwindling by the day, and this is a cause for concern,” Maposa said in an article we published on April 21, 2024 titled “Lights dim on local theatre”.
Jasen Mphepo, the executive director of the Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre, also bemoaned poor crowds at theatre shows.
“In my view, we are yet to get out of the woods that were brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, but bit by bit, we are rebuilding. We recently had a successful theatre festival, and, to me, this means we are moving in the right direction,” he said.
Currently running at Theatre in the Park is “Song Unburied”, a play written by renowned novelist and journalist Panashe Chigumadzi. Directed and produced by Guzha, the play boasts a star-studded cast, including Charmaine Munjeri, Dalma Chiwereva and Tinevimbo Chimbetete, with captivating music by Abel Mafuleni.
The production has a thrilling storyline filled with unexpected twists and turns.
“Song Unburied” is a gripping play that delves into the complex themes of identity, history and the enduring spirit of a nation.
The play follows Rambisayi Mangosho (Rambi), a black curator appointed to the British Museum, as she grapples with her personal journey and the institution’s colonial legacy.
When her grandmother passes away, Rambi is unable to return to Zimbabwe for the funeral, forcing her to confront her grief and identity crisis amidst the pressures of her new role.
As she becomes immersed in the museum’s work, she forms an unexpected bond with Tsitsi, a war veteran and caretaker at the facility, who becomes her mentor and guide. The play takes a dramatic turn when the duo discovers the remains of Mbuya Nehanda and other anti-colonial heroes hidden within the museum’s depths.
This startling revelation forces them to confront the painful history of colonialism and the ongoing struggle for justice and reparation.
With its powerful storytelling and complex characters, “Song Unburied” is proving to be a thought-provoking and emotionally charged theatrical experience.
Chigumadzi was born in Zimbabwe in 1991, but grew up in South Africa.
