Zimbabwe-Born Filmmaker Chipo Chang Opens Auditions for New Film Project in Harare

Zimbabwe-born filmmaker and theatre practitioner Chipo Chang is turning to home-grown talent as she prepares to cast a new film project, giving aspiring and established actors an opportunity to compete for roles in the upcoming production. Chang, who is producing and co-directing the project, has announced an open audition scheduled for August 31 at Theatre in the Park in Harare. The casting call is seeking 17 actors, with opportunities available for both male and female performers across a broad range of ages. Roles are available for characters ranging from children as young as six to adults in their late 60s. The wide-ranging casting requirements make the audition an important opportunity for Zimbabwean performers from different generations to put their abilities forward and potentially become part of a new film production.

Chang has encouraged people in Zimbabwe who are interested in acting to come forward and participate in the open casting process. In announcing the audition, she expressed her excitement about beginning the search for performers who can bring the film’s characters to life. She also provided a WhatsApp contact for people seeking further information about the casting process, while making it clear that queries should not be sent through Facebook messages. Her call for local performers reflects an interest in identifying talent within Zimbabwe and giving actors an opportunity to demonstrate what they can offer. The announcement has the potential to attract both performers with professional experience and people who are hoping to secure their first significant acting opportunity.

“I’m excited to announce that casting is open for a film I am producing and co-directing. If you’re in Zimbabwe please WhatsApp the following number +447551819965 for queries. Please note I do not respond to Facebook messages, but hope to see you at the open call #zimbabwesgottalent,” Chang said. Her message highlights the importance of attending the open audition for anyone who believes they have the ability to contribute to the production. Open calls can provide a more accessible route into the industry because performers do not necessarily need to rely solely on established professional networks to be considered. For emerging Zimbabwean actors, the audition could therefore provide valuable exposure and a chance to demonstrate their potential directly to the creative team.

The casting call is particularly notable because of the age range involved in the production. With roles available for children from the age of six through to adults in their late 60s, the project requires performers from several generations. This creates opportunities for young actors who are beginning to explore the performing arts as well as experienced performers who have spent years developing their craft. The involvement of different age groups can also bring a broader range of perspectives and experiences to a film. For Zimbabwe’s acting community, the open audition provides an opportunity for performers at different stages of their careers to pursue a role in the same production.

For aspiring actors, auditions can serve as an important learning experience even when they do not immediately result in a role. Preparing for an audition requires performers to understand a character, communicate emotions effectively and demonstrate confidence in front of a casting team. An open call can also help emerging talent become more familiar with professional casting environments and the expectations of film production. Experienced performers, meanwhile, have an opportunity to demonstrate their versatility and potentially connect with a creative team working on a new project. Chang’s decision to hold an open audition in Harare therefore creates a platform where a diverse group of Zimbabwean performers can put themselves forward.

Chang has built a career across theatre and film, with her creative work reflecting an interest in Zimbabwean stories, identity, history and social issues. Her experience across different areas of the performing arts has allowed her to engage with stories that connect local experiences to wider audiences. Her work has also demonstrated the role that theatre and film can play in exploring complex social issues and encouraging conversations within communities. This background gives her experience that could be valuable as she moves forward with her latest film project. By looking for performers in Zimbabwe, she is also creating an opportunity for local talent to become part of a production led by a creative practitioner with an international outlook.

The project comes against a wider backdrop of growing interest in Zimbabwean creative talent and locally produced stories. Zimbabwe has a long history of theatre, film and performing arts, with actors and other creative professionals continuing to build careers both at home and internationally. Casting locally can help productions draw on performers who understand the cultural environment and social experiences reflected in Zimbabwean stories. It can also give emerging actors opportunities to develop professional credits and build relationships within the industry. For performers attending the August 31 audition, the possibility of becoming part of Chang’s new project could represent an important step in their individual careers.

Chang’s work has also involved connecting Zimbabwean experiences with international audiences through the performing arts. Her involvement in theatre and film has given her an understanding of how stories rooted in particular communities can resonate with audiences beyond their place of origin. That perspective could prove valuable as she develops the new production and selects actors to portray its characters. The casting process will be central to establishing the tone and authenticity of the film because the chosen performers will ultimately shape how audiences experience the story. Bringing together local actors from different backgrounds and generations could add depth to the production while strengthening its connection to Zimbabwe.

There is also a strong international dimension to the wider career of Zimbabwean-born stage and screen actress Chipo Chung, whose name has been associated with major theatre, film and television productions. Chung trained at Yale University and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before establishing an international profile through a range of screen roles. Her credits include Sunshine, In the Loop, Doctor Who, Camelot, Fortitude, A.D. The Bible Continues, Into the Badlands, His Dark Materials, Silo and Black Cake. Her theatre work includes productions such as Hamlet, The Overwhelming, Talking to Terrorists, Fallujah, Phèdre, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Dido, Queen of Carthage. Beyond acting, Chung has also participated in theatre for social change, including work connected to women’s rights and community dialogue in Zimbabwe and Kenya.

The upcoming auditions in Harare could become an important entry point for performers hoping to develop their careers in Zimbabwe’s film and theatre industry. For experienced actors, the casting call offers a chance to compete for new work and demonstrate their ability to adapt to different characters. For younger performers, particularly those still discovering their interest in acting, the opportunity could provide valuable exposure to the professional creative process. The fact that the casting is open to both male and female performers across such a broad age range means that people from very different backgrounds can consider putting themselves forward. Anyone interested in attending should pay close attention to Chang’s stated contact arrangements and prepare to demonstrate their acting abilities at the open call.

The August 31 audition at Theatre in the Park represents more than a search for 17 performers, as it also highlights the importance of creating opportunities for Zimbabwean talent within the local creative industry. Chang’s decision to look to home-grown actors could help uncover performers who have not yet had access to major film opportunities. As production preparations move forward, the selected cast will have the responsibility of bringing the project’s characters to life and contributing to its overall creative vision. The audition also gives Zimbabwean actors a chance to take an active role in a new production while gaining experience and potentially expanding their professional networks. For those with ambitions of building careers in film and theatre, the open call could be a significant opportunity to take the next step.

As Chipo Chang prepares to begin the casting process, attention will now turn to Theatre in the Park and the performers who will answer the call on August 31. The search for 17 actors across such a broad age range reflects the scale of the production and creates opportunities for both established and emerging Zimbabwean talent. Chang’s experience across theatre and film adds further interest to the project, particularly given her focus on stories and creative work connected to Zimbabwean experiences. For the actors who attend, the audition could provide more than the possibility of securing a role, as it could also open doors to new professional relationships and experiences. With the casting process about to begin, Zimbabwe’s acting community has an opportunity to step forward, showcase its talent and become part of Chang’s latest film project.