FOR the past two weeks, Almasi Collaborative Arts has been conducting a Re-Write Masterclass led by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning American playwright and screenwriter Lynn Nottage.
The intensive programme, held in partnership with the Zimbabwe German Society (ZGS), concludes today at the ZGS premises in Milton Park, where it has been hosted since July 5.
According to an official statement, the masterclass included a sextet of Zimbabwean writers — Amanda Ranganawa, Batsirai Chigama, Kingsley Chinhanu, Philani A Nyoni, Rudo Mutangadura, and Tatenda Mutyambizi — representing Bulawayo, Mutare and Harare.
The initiative aimed to enhance their literary skills and position their work for international recognition.
Nottage, renowned for plays such as Sweat, Ruined, Fabulation and Intimate Apparel, provided expert facilitation, helping the writers refine their plays to a professional standard.
“As a key programme in Almasi’s inaugural Africa Voices Now! A Festival of New African Plays, this Masterclass is geared to provide invaluable skills into the craft of re-writing as a crucial development tool and a platform for selected plays to be further honed before showcase at the festival,” the statement read in part.
Following his participation, Bulawayo-based playwright Nyoni is optimistic that such initiatives can transform Zimbabwe’s theatre scene.
He also highlighted a critical gap in Zimbabwe’s creative ecosystem.
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Beyond nurturing writers, he argued, the industry needs producers capable of mobilising resources to fully realise theatrical visions.
True progress, he noted, hinges on securing budgets that properly compensate actors and crews, fund quality sets and costumes, and allow adequate rehearsal time — including technical run-throughs.
He further emphasised that only then can polished productions effectively reach audiences and markets.
“I have always argued that the technicians, mostly in film, have excellent equipment and skills. We just need to write better, by better I mean tighter stories, with all their nuts and bolts tightened then we will see phenomenal work come out of the country,” he told NewsDay Weekender Life & Style.
“My favourite part about what Almasi is doing is that they are investing in skills; not a single product. I, for one, believe one can never know enough about their craft, and what Lynn Nottage has left with us today will be useful beyond these six plays we have been focusing on, but drastically improve the quality of work we create, and the work of all the other creatives we interact with going forth.”
Today, the programme culminates into a free public showcase of works-in-progress by the participants, running from 11pm to 1pm at the Zimbabwe German Society.
“The Masterclass enables Almasi to usher in a new era of dramatic creation, facilitating cross-cultural exchange between world-renowned professionals and local practitioners,” the statement added.
