Plans for the 2023 Kenya International Theatre Festival are in high gear. The 8th edition of the festival will be run from 31st of October to 12th November 2023. This year’s theme is “Theatre for a Sustainable Future: Telling Stories for Climate Action”. The hashtag is #KITFest2023. Those who wish to participate, in any capacity, may apply to do so via the official website: www.kitfest.co.ke
Festival founder Kevin Kahuro speaking at last year’s Kenya Theatre Awards ceremony. (Photo: Kitfest media)
Outreach
KITfest has been expanding its reach and its programmes year on year since its inception. This year, a new programme dubbed COUNTY THEATRE FIESTA has been added to the array of actives. The stated aim of this new initiative is:
“To enhance skills and promote theatrical talent at the county level, increase awareness of theatre within counties, foster a culture of theatre attendance in Kenyan counties, and provide selected theatre groups with the opportunity to perform at the Kenya.”
Kenya has a devolved system of government that consists of 47 counties run by elected Governors. This year, sic counties have been chose for the inaugural COUNTY THEATRE FIESTA : Mombasa, Kiambu, Embu, Nakuru, Kisumu, and Uasin Gishu. The outstanding performances from each of these counties will be featured during the 8th Edition of the Kenya International Theatre Festival, in Nairobi.
CHANGES
There are some changes in the team behind The Kenya International Theatre Festival. Benson Ngobia is the new Director of the Kenya International Theatre Festival and Chairperson of the Kenya Theatre Awards. A twenty-year theatre veteran, Mr. Ngobia is taking over the baton from Fedari Oyagi who has been with the festival since its genesis.
HISTORY
KITFest was founded in 2013 by Kevin Kimani Kahuro. It celebrates theatre and showcase the works of theatre artists from all over the world. It’s an international platform where theatre lovers have the opportunity to attend and watch performances, share artistic excellence, innovation and explore the intersections between various theatrical genres. A man who wears many hats, KITFest founder Kevin Kahuro is also Principal Creative Production Officer at Kenya Cultural Centre incorporating Kenya National Theatre -KNT.
A scene from the 2022 edition of KITFest. (Photo: Kitfest media)
This post was written by the author in their personal capacity.The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of The Theatre Times, their staff or collaborators.
This post was written by Alexander Nderitu.
The views expressed here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect our views and opinions.
