YOUNG performers gained access to established African theatre practitioners when the October International Theatre Festival kicked off at the Mbabane Theatre Club yesterday.
The three-day festival, running from October 1–3, brought together more than 20 schools for practical training and performances centred on theatre, dance, poetry, creative writing and directing.
Mozambican choreographer Alexandre Dos Santos was among the practitioners who shared his expertise with young creatives through dance masterclasses, while South African actor Hamilton Dlamini conducted theatre training.
Dos Santos led dance sessions, while Dlamini took participants through the foundations of acting, including listening, teamwork, mental preparation, dialogue and character development.
For the learners, the sessions provided an opportunity to learn directly from practitioners who have worked professionally in performing arts, while exposing them to different approaches to performance.
Dlamini challenged participants to move beyond simply memorising lines, using practical exercises to help them understand how actors respond to characters and situations on stage.
His training included exercises requiring learners to portray emotionally demanding characters and respond quickly to changes during performances.
Dlamini also demonstrated techniques actors could use when portraying emotions on stage, encouraging participants to understand their characters and draw from genuine experiences when a scene required a particular emotional response.
The festival also built on an emerging pattern of regional exchange among young performers.
Some of the participating learners had previously travelled to Mbombela, South Africa, where they took part in Igazi, a production that saw them work alongside South African actor Phindy ‘The Real Queen’. This opportunity was facilitated through the Eswatini National Council of Arts and Culture.
Among the schools participating in the festival were Vulamasango High School, Swazi National High School and Ngomane Primary School.
The schools earned their places after performing well in the Inyatsi Schools Arts Drama and Theatre Competition.
Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) Board Chairperson Penelope Mkhwanazi, speaking on behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu, said opportunities such as the festival could help young people recognise the value of their voices and stories. “Your experiences matter. Your voices matter. Your stories matter. Your dreams matter,” Mkhwanazi said.
She encouraged the young creatives to use their talents to tell local stories and represent their culture beyond the country’s borders.
The programme also featured workshops covering dance, poetry, creative writing, directing and children’s theatre.
Learners were introduced to other careers within the creative sector, including choreography, costume design, lighting, sound, film, digital content and event production.
Performances formed another key part of the festival, with participating schools presenting productions during the programme. Ngomane Primary School presented ‘Tibi Tendlu’, while another production explored the history of King Cetshwayo kaMpande and the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879.
The October International Theatre Festival continues today before concluding tomorrow, with the programme bringing young performers together with experienced practitioners from across the region
