The ManicaPost
Friday Lessons with Sir Mwanyisa
GREETINGS learners, parents and guardians!
Welcome to your Visual and Performing Arts weekly lessons brought to you by your favourite newspaper, The Manica Post.
I expect you to have an exercise book and a pen to write the work given as exercises.
Today, our topic is on theatre arts careers.
Performing arts are mostly known for stage performances.
However, there is a diversity of careers in theatre.
Typical performing arts jobs
Theatre director
Theatre directors bring scripts to life on the stage, working closely with everyone involved to create a show that connects with the audience.
They are in charge of the practical and creative interpretation of a dramatic script or musical score and are involved in the whole process from start to finish.
Some theatre directors write, design or act in their own work.
Actor
Actors communicate characters and situations to an audience through dialogue, body language and actions.
They interpret the work of a writer under the instruction and support of a director.
Some actors like Mukadota and Gringo could devise a character themselves or improvise the responses of a character to a situation.
If you love acting and have a talent for it, there’s no reason why you can’t pursue this career.
Dancer
Dancers use movement to interpret music, tell stories and express emotions, often under the guidance of a choreographer.
You can dance in front of live audiences or in recorded performances for TV, film or music videos.
Dancers can work and specialise in a variety of dance forms, and you will be more likely to find work if you can perform in an assortment of styles.
Alick Macheso is both a prolific dancer and a musician.
He is popular for the ‘borrowable dance’ in which he imitates horses.
Sandra Ndebele is undoubtedly among the country’s best female dancers.
Dance, music or drama therapist
Drama therapists use activities such as group work or role play to encourage people to come to terms with their emotions and express themselves, thereby helping them to overcome their difficulties.
Therapists use movement and dance within a therapeutic atmosphere to help people who are facing physical, psychological, emotional or mental problems.
To gain entry in one of these performing arts jobs, you need a postgraduate qualification.
Screenwriter
If you have a passion for creating scripts, and a strong interest in digital media, this career could be for you.
You will use your imagination to create engaging stories for a range of formats, from films to television and even computer games.
You need determination, motivation and the ability to meet strict deadlines.
Broadcasting presenter
Broadcasting presenters are the public faces or voices of programs presented on television, radio and the internet.
They entertain and inform their audiences by presenting information or entertainment in an open and captivating way, generally interacting with the audience and perhaps interviewing guests.
This is another competitive area so you will need to be driven and enthusiastic, with a strong interest in television or radio.
Teacher/higher education lecturer
You could specialise in a particular form of performing arts, and perhaps run a drama club to encourage even more interaction with the performing arts outside of teaching hours.
To gain entry into teaching or lecturership, you will need a qualification in teaching and a degree in Visual and Performing Arts.
Task
Find out about the following careers in theatre:
◆ Costume designer
◆ Lighting designer
◆ Sound engineer
◆ Make-up artist
◆ Stage manager
◆ Name any two female and two male Diamond FM broadcasting presenters.
