Download pdf - The Ugandan Theatre Entrepreneur

Why you should Start Now…

By Arthur Okman Kisenyi

15 January 2015 The Uganda Theatre Entrepreneur. Why tou should start now

This is an individual who decides or takes a risks to start a

theatre business or company or organization or venture or

project for the following reasons;

Profit

Fun

To help others

Education purposes

Etc

However little or much this person invests, they are taking

a risk to loose there investment. Investment is usually

Monetary, Physical, Intellectual, Time and Weight(lol)


A lot of people will come up to define what theatre is, some

simple and others will make it so complex for your to

understand.

BUT

Theatre is simply enactment of events scripted or

unscripted by actors/actresses to a live audience for

mostly entertainment but also for information and

education.

Put it in mind that despite what academics want to tell you,

theatre is done mostly to entertain.

15 January 2015 The Uganda Theatre Entrepreneur. Why you should start now

I don’t have to define what Ugandan Theatre is because it

is simply Theatre that is done or that happens in Uganda

but I will give a brief history of Theatre in Uganda.

Keep it in mind that Theatre in Uganda is what you will

hear most people referring to as “Drama”.


As an entrepreneur/researcher, you will need to understand that

every society in the world had active theatre before the naming

of Theatre. This is why even without Television or radio, people

were entertained, educated and also earned a living.

The same thing happened through out the kingdoms of Uganda

as Kings had to be kept happy and there subjects told about the

mightiness of the kings.

This I will have you know happened before the coming of

scripted drama in Uganda and rise of intellectuals in the field of

theatre.

Although mostly Drama was usually done with music, it did a

very good job for preachers and entertainers.


Scripted Drama is believed to have started with the teaching of

literature at Makerere University, building of the main hall and

later starting of the Music Dance and Drama Department.

I am telling you this because I believe you(the entrepreneur) will

probably start a professional theatre company where you will

produce scripted plays.

When scripted Drama started, it was dominated by the following

people;

Erisa Kironde

Byron Kawadwa

Augustine Bukenya


Theatre as a business was more profitable before every home

had a TV set and before musicians started influencing people.

In the 80’s Bakayimbira Drama actors, The Ebonies and Afri

Talent are some of the groups that gained from theatre.

These are the years people would go to theatre every weekend

and it was the place to be.

However today theatre competes with Music, Film, sports

events, Social Media and the internet among others.

Therefore unlike theatre in the 80’s you need to be super

creative and extra hard working to win the competition.


No one can tell you how many

drama groups exist in Uganda

currently, not even the Director

National Theatre.

I can however tell you that

most of these groups are

looking for quick money and

have no plans for surviving in

the long run.

However, some of the powerful

groups you can study further

include;

The Ebonies

Bakayimbira Dramactors

Alina Talents Uganda

Fun Factory

Zubair Family

Afri-Talent

Diamonds Ensemble

Equator Productions

+ those I cant recall now


These are the reasons you should start your Theatre Project

today;

You have the passion to do theatre because without it you

won’t last long.

You know other people who have the same passion because

you cant be a theatre professional if you are alone. We all

need another person to do what we can’t do.

You have a new concept to distinguish your group from the

other theatre groups.

You can work hard, practice, practice and make practice.

You can Choose you partners and people to work with wisely

to have a lasting project.


You can make a fortune doing theatre if you do it wisely

You can become famous for doing theatre if you do it so well.

Movie directors will notice you and you will get those roles.

You can influence people when you make a lot of money as a famous Performing Artiste.
