FORUM THEATRE NAIROBI

Washingtone Omondi Obwanda has been creating forum theatre since 2012, when he deepened his knowledge of the technique thanks to a training offered by the St. John’s community in Nairobi. He his also a memberof Godown Creative Art. 

His first forum theatre topic was HIV/AIDS, the aim to reduce the stigma attached to the disease; a stigma that frequently discourages people from seeking treatment and taking precautions to protect others.

The following year, Obwanda introduced the techniques of forum theatre to the children at the Good Samaritan’s Children’s Home, where he volonteers as a theatre facilitator. The title of the piece was “Brighter future”, it’s objective to grow hope and conficence among the young people. “Most importantly, by the end of the project the children felt they, too, were a part of the society. They realized they are worth no less than children growing up with their parents. They stopped comparing and felt encouraged to achieve.”

Most recently, Obwanda created a piece about reconciliation for the A.C.K. ST. Christopher’s Parish Church in the Mathare Slum. It offered an opportunity to discuss how tribalism effects human relationships and what paths to peace might be.

Whilst the previous pieces all were in close collaboration with a church community, MY DRESS IS MY CHOICE wants to reach out to people regardless of their religious affiliations, which is why it is to take place in the community centers of the respective estates. – Research for the project will include consulting counsellors, legal professionals and community leaders such as pastors.