In the year 2014,a program investing in and enabling theatre artists and projects by providing platforms, systems and resources for the growth of the theatre industry and the performing arts in general was born and was named the KENYA INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL (KITFest)
Spearheaded by Kevin Kimani (Founder)
, Fedari Oyagi (Festival Director)
and Michael Pundo (CEO Kenya Cultural Center)
, KITFest provides a platform to showcase Kenyan theatre to the world and stimulate artists and audiences by bringing International theatrical performances to Kenya. The Festival is also geared towards a celebration of outstanding performances and productions while promoting diverse cultural practices. Theatre artists, practitioners and professionals have an ample opportunity to interact and show their skills and experiences of the industry in the festival.
This year’s 7th edition is held in celebration of the life of Donwill Odhiambo,
a versatile artist whose last performance was at KITFest 2021 and was best known for his performances at Millaz Productions with shows like Black Out.
As the Kenya Cultural Center celebrates 70 years since it’s inception, what better way to celebrate other than showcase performances from all over the country and the world at large, that is why the festival has organised performances from the following countries; Kenya, South Africa, Egypt,USA, and Spain and also Masterclasses supported and facilitated by artists from Czech Republic, Switzerland and a theme night experience by China.
The opening ceremony which happened on the 1st of November at the Kenya National Theatre was met with outstanding performances. A modern dance choreographed by Collo Blue
curtain raised the event electrifying the stage and had the audience ready for what’s to come.
Mufasa the Poet also known as the ‘Kenyan Shakespeare’, delivered a piece titled The Climb with the theme, The Journey of beginning, what it takes, what it took, what is still taking,
spotlighting the process of embracing your gifts and percevering beyond stereotypes.
Writter, Actor and Director Martin Kigondu
delivered a one person performance titled Supernova. The play follows a man sieving through a love that was, could have been and is, while chasing the highs that come with a busy career and the lows that are survived often in silence. Exploring themes around ambition, love, grief, solitude, family and mental fortitude with both heart and wit and the headspace of man in particular urban isolation.
Gracing the event were the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts, Hon. Ababu Namwamba and the Australian High Commissioner to Kenya Mr. Luke Williams as guests of honour.
“The Kenya International Theatre Festivals is a platform that showcases Kenya and tells Kenya’s story. It is important to know the story for us to tell the story, this is where we learn the story.”
a statement by Hon. Ababu Namwamba while affirming that the government is ready to make reforms in the art sector one of them being renovating the Kenya National Theatre and for artists to hold him accountable to the promises made.
The Kenya International Theatre Festivals is currently ongoing from the 1st to the 13th of November with a total of 22 shows lined up. Visit http://www.kitfest.co.ke to learn about the shows and ticket purchasing.
Kenya International Theatre Festivals 2022Tukutane KITFest 2022
