The second edition of Sanaa Theatre Awards is here

  Friday Entertainment Various guests at the launch of the Sanaa Theatre Awards yesterday. PHOTOS: COURTESY

The second instalment of Sanaa Theatre Awards is set for December 15 this year at the Alliance Française auditorium, with the launch having taken place yesterday, thus opening the way for the public to now enter their preferred nominees by filling a form at the events’ website, www.sanaatheatreawards.com.

Speaking at the launch in Nairobi, jury chairman Prof Chris Wanjala noted that this year’s event offers more exciting opportunities for participation both in deciding the nominees as well as picking the eventual winners.

“While we have a solid team of members of the jury from across the country, we are allowing theatregoers to have a say in the process, and that is in tandem with our Constitution,” said the professor of Comparative Literature at the University of Nairobi.

Sanaa Theatre Awards founder and CEO George Orido said with the awards they hope to encourage more original stories on the Kenyan stage.

Mr Orido praised the Kenyan audience for the growing confidence they have shown for thespians lately.

“For those of us who have followed the creative industry in the last decade, it is obvious that it is a new frontier for job creation and youth employment,” said Mr Orido.

Veteran actor turned film director Mudamba Mudamba shared his lifetime experience, lauding the Sanaa Theatre Awards as a crucial step in appreciating Kenyan Theatre.

“I will pursue and follow my passion until I leave a mark in my area of expression,” he said in his speech.

Also present at the event were David Opondoe, the Managing Director at Phoenix Theatre, Festival of Creative Arts producer Eliud Abuto, Zetech University’s Communications Manager David Simiyu and representatives from Hivos and Global Dialogues as well as Standard Group, who are the official title media partners of the award.

The Sanaa Theatre Awards will see a more ferocious battle for the very best in the Kenyan Theatre scene with John Sibi Okumu coming strongly with his new play Kaggia that just closed last week at the Phoenix Theatre Players in Nairobi.

Harry Ebale, who starred in the play, is one of the top contenders for the Best Actor position for his portrayal of Bildad Kaggia – a freedom fighter who stood on the side of the poor and his people as his political compatriots took the path of easy wealth.

Another candidate is Xavier Nato of Festival of Creative Arts for his role in the thriller, Revenge, where he played the role of Derrick.

Nominees for the best actress include Elements’ Nathalie Vairac for her role in a newly revamped production that was directed by John Sibi Okumu.

So is Sitawa Namwalie for her role in the poetic rendition of the production, Silence is a Woman, during the StoryMoja festival at the National Museums of Kenya.

John Sibi Okumu for Elements, Alice Karunditu for Silence is a Woman, Nick Nyanje for Kaggia and Mbeki Mwalimu for Revenge, among others are to battle it out with others for the Best Director.

Increased activity

According to the officials, a new category for short films written by young people for the youth especially if the scripts come from forms such as poetry, skits, and essays will be introduced this year in the Innovative Film Category.

Last year Sanaa Theatre Awards created a forum for appreciating excellence in Kenyan theatre after a ten-year lull following the collapse of the Mbalamwezi Theatre Awards.

The entry for items and individuals for consideration for nominations is currently on-going and any member of the public can go to the website www.sanaatheatreawards.com.

“Later on after the launch of the nominees, the public will have an opportunity to vote for their favourite stars and give them a boost in their chances to win,” said Orido.

Prof Wanjala said this would be encouraging for Kenya’s original stories as well as pure talent on the Kenyan stage.

“We encourage producers, directors, actors as well as theatregoers to join in the jury process through the online process,” said Prof Wanjala.

The regional coordinators for the Sanaa Theatre Awards 2014 include Yussuf Mwinyihija (Mombasa), Dr Fred Mbogo (Eldoret) Obata Masira (western) and Collins Oduor (Nakuru).

The Speaker of the Senate Hon Ekwee Ethuro will be the Chief Guest at the award ceremony.

Sanaa Theatre Awards will from January next year engage in year-round projects such as training in script writing, acting, directing, as well as production as a way of building capacity and improving quality among practitioners.

“There will also be exchange programmes between Kenyan artistes and other thespians from East Africa and the World,” Orido said.