Raisedon Baya Urges Bulawayo Thespians to Revive Theatre in the City on World Theatre Day

Renowned playwright, director, and arts administrator Raisedon Baya has called on Bulawayo thespians to reignite their passion for theatre and performance, highlighting the untapped potential of the city’s arts scene. His call came as the world marked World Theatre Day on March 27, a global event celebrating the power and impact of theatre, which has been observed annually since its initiation by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in 1962.

In a heartfelt statement, Baya expressed his mixed emotions of sadness and guilt, sharing his disappointment over the lack of live performances in Bulawayo on this significant day. While World Theatre Day is celebrated worldwide with various theatre events and performances, Baya noted that, for him, the occasion was overshadowed by the absence of theatre in his own city.

“Today marks World Theatre Day and I’m filled with a mix of sadness and guilt. I had hoped to celebrate by attending a live performance, unfortunately, I’m not aware of any shows happening in my city,” Baya said. “Last year, I vowed to do something to commemorate this day, but time slipped away, and I did nothing. Now, I’ll likely hear speeches about the importance of theatre, but honestly, theatre doesn’t need words, it needs action.”

Baya’s sentiments reflect the frustrations of many within Bulawayo’s artistic community, where theatre has struggled to maintain a consistent presence. He emphasized that theatre is not merely about speeches or theoretical discussions, but about tangible performances that engage audiences.

“It needs to be seen, to be experienced. No more lip service. Let’s bring theatre to life! Our city needs regular performances,” he urged.

The acclaimed playwright went on to discuss the layers of silence that have gripped Bulawayo’s theatre scene. According to Baya, this silence is multi-faceted: it stems from a lack of material, infrastructure, planning, and resources, as well as the isolation of artists working in silos rather than collaborating. He also pointed to the shortage of actors, directors, and proper venues as significant challenges facing the city’s arts industry.

“It’s the silence caused by no material and no structures to sustain theatre; the silence of working in silos; the silence of losing the importance of one of the critical art forms and the silence caused by lack of planning, lack of actors and directors, lack of resources, lack of proper theatre venues. It is a lot,” Baya explained.

Despite these challenges, Baya remains committed to the transformative power of theatre. Known for his daring and thought-provoking works such as Super Patriots and Morons, Madmen and Fools, and The Crocodile of Zambezi (which earned him the Novib-PEN International Freedom of Expression Award), Baya believes that theatre can change perceptions and drive social change. His plays are often controversial, challenging societal norms and sparking deep reflection.

“Theatre just needs us to be unselfish,” he said. “To find those passionate enough and make them collaborate, not just on making good theatre, but creating visible footprints for others to follow.”

Baya’s call for unity and collaboration among Bulawayo’s thespians is a plea for the city to embrace the cultural richness of theatre and revive its presence in the community. For him, World Theatre Day should not only be a moment for reflection but a catalyst for action—a day to spark the revival of a theatre scene that once thrived but now struggles to find its voice.

As Baya challenges the city’s artists to move beyond empty words, his hope is that Bulawayo will once again become a hub of vibrant theatre, where performances are frequent, accessible, and celebrated by all. His message serves as both a wake-up call and a rallying cry for the future of theatre in the city.