Just a Thought Part One! And a very long thought put down on that note!

So here I am thinking about a script and thought to Myself, what are other Directors in different regions doing? Who do we expect to make an impact in those regions?

Today we look at:

Metropolitan

Well there are many Consultants that are in this region and they are busy crafting. I shall mention just but afew and abit of where they are hiding!!!!! Hehehe I can see my friend Xavier laughing as it dawns on him that i'm actually typing this.






So I shall start with Xavier Nato. Once with Utawala Academy, we expect him to be with St. Georges with another amazing Swahili Script. The simplicity that the play (87,422 - St. Georges Girls) had this year, and an approach of those issues that affect students and makes it very easy for them to identify with was its selling point. He is also the Director Kenya Methodist University - Nrb Campus. I have not said the new school your scripting for Xavier and i've not even mentioned the Principal from Coast Region who is on your neck for a script! Xavier has a way of forging a lasting friendship with those he's directing as well as those around him which is a trait that many should ape but also get that boundary set from the beginning! Hope to see more of that Xavier!






I realize that many might not know his face or very tiny voice....hehehehehehe but he is Justine Ong'wen Artistic Director Riara Springs. The school has won in the play category in 2012 and in 2014. No mean task though and you might not have interacted with him much but he's a soft spoken and very hard working director. He enjoys proving people wrong with his work on stage. He may be quiet, but very Loud on stage! A quiet but very stern director who always puts his thoughts out clearly for all and sundry.


 

Upcoming and budding Howard Lumumba, Director Sunshine Secondary School. A creative and ethical young director who will do great things. May need abit of assistance in Scripting but the creativity in set/scenic design is amazing! Keep up Howard.


 


One Lilian Madigo has been dubbed "the iron lady" of the festival having ventured in a genre (Play) dominated by men. She has not only managed to steer Nakuru Lions Primary to the overall winning Primary School of the Kenya National Drama Festival for the last 9 years but also managed to lead Laiser Hill Academy to the Winning Play Position for Secondary Schools 2015. An avid script writer with years of experience in the festival. I would say working with Nakuru Lions Primary School for all those years has given her the "child centered approach" that her items have which endears them to the audience. Down to earth and very quiet, this humble lady can be your best friend and worst nightmare all rolled into one.She says she has retired just as i have but that remains to be seen doesn't it?


 

 
The duo of Samkokto Odoyo & Henry Owese. These guys are the most persistent duo i've met so far! Henry choreographed "Agrementa" a winning dance that was done by Moi Girls School Nairobi in 1998. They are with BuruBuru Girls and most recently with Tala Girls (2015). Didn't expect the girls from Tala to perform a Luo Dramatized dance that well. However after watching the item on stage, you could see that some really talented hands were working with those girls. Just like a gifted sculptor bringing clay to life with a beautiful vase. Keep up with that fighting spirit guys.


 


Another duo of young directors who are just itching to take this festival by storm is that of James Yaa Kahindi & Ali Mwachuo. Having acted alongside  each other from High School (Kakamega High) through to College (Kenya Institute of Mass Communication) these two have what we know as the YING-YANG type of relationship. They have worked with Aquinas High School (2012) Nairobi School for the last two years, KIMC and things seem to be promising for these two. 




After Kasigwa's untimely demise, the oldest Consultant crown was handed over to one Joseph Murungu and the second oldest is Hudson Wafula aka "Nde Lema". An old boy of Dagoretti High School, Wafula has choreographed in the festival since 1989! I know, sit there and let it all sink in. This guy single handedly revolutionized choreography of dances in our festival. He introduced patterns in the dance and even the use of rostrums in dance. Of late he has gone back to "no rostrums" on stage and it seems to be working brilliantly for him. A brilliant mind that is getting better with age!




Hannington Ochieng is not only the Nairobi County Primary Schools Drama Secretary but also the Patron Westlands Primary School. An avid reader, script writer and British Council Trainer of Trainers, Hannington has not only steered Westlands Primary to greater heights but also the whole of Nairobi in a festival (Primary Category) that was dominated by Nzoia and Mau Regions. Kudos teacher and keep up!

 



Charity Muraguri. An accomplished lecturer from Thogoto TTC and the first choreographer to have a Kikuyu Dramatized dance in the winning bracket when Thogoto TTC emerged as the Winning Dance (Colleges Category) in Meru 2009 with a Kikuyu Dance. Full of energy and "out of the box" ideas and i mean literally. Has worked with Kangubiri Girls, Karima Girls, Mount Kenya University amongst others. We can't wait to see what Thogoto and Kangubiri Girls have for us this year madam "SHARITY".


 

One man who loves animals to death Elisha Otieno. This is one guy who will use any available situation to be creative with the happenings of that particular moment. And ofcourse an animal will be involved. Having started choreography in the late nineties yes i'm talking about 1997 onwards, under the pupilage of Bwire Ojiambo and Dr. Oj Odhiambo this guy has seen his share of dramatic twists and turns. Always jolly and willing to help with a brilliant mind in scripting. He has worked with Our Lady of Fatima Secondary School, Aquinas High School, St. Georges Girls, Kenya High, Zetech University and now i hear he's going to be dancing while on StateHouse Road. No Elisha, i did not just tell everyone you'll be in Statehouse! Hope to see that animal on stage!






One man who has nurtured half the faces you see on our screens daily either as journalists or actors in our local programs is Wycliffe Amayoka Tsinje Buhere aka "Msiani". This guy has seen the who is who in the media industry pass through his hands. The chair of the Metropolitan Technical Colleges Drama Festival, he's a seasoned adjudicator as well as facilitator. The guy is not afraid to even critique his own items to ensure they have the best. Kudos sir and hope to see the best from KIMC in 2016!




The brains behind those movements and delivery you've been seeing from Precious Blood Girls Riruta Benjamin Ondara. Down to earth and also works with Zetech University Benja as he's popularly referred to as likes to be on the down low and will only be seen preparing the students for the stage! We await the Riruta girls this year Benja!




The Twins Dickson Omari & Francis Odee. These two guys can be very annoying when they start talking about items coz they do not know how to sugar coat things. Talk about having no chills but they are known to be working with Nakeel Boys and Dawamu respectively. Dickson has also been affiliated with Laiser Hill Primary. Guys can we try and not throw so much shade on other items till the festival is over? lol!




The only other person involved in the festival who has also nurtured a numerous number of media personalities is one Bernard Nyanje!! I have even been called to do an interview on radio (Radio France) by one of his former students. I mean why can't you be proud when you have students working abroad as international journalists and they acknowledge what you do? This man has helped East Africa Media Institute and now is back to his original station East Africa School of Media Studies having left the Nairobi Aviation College after choreographing their winning Modern Dance!






Having scripted the winning choral verse secondary category in 2012 just after finishing high school, one Isaac Kimiywi tried his hand at scripting and directing his own item and ended up with the winning solo verse in 2013 and 2014 with Moi Girls School Nairobi. A brilliant soft spoken young mind that will one day script an award winning film world wide.





Narudi Ocha genge Artist Kevin Adudans aka "Qtah-C" has also been in the scene for some time now and is an alumni of Dagoretti High School for those who didn't know. Has worked with Ngara Girls, Eastleigh High School, Pumwani Girls and even EASMS. Would love to see him more in the "child centred" areas of scripting for him to make an impact but he is an amazing choreographer that just needs to head in the right direction right from the scripting level.






I love seeing young and budding new directors joining the festival. It shows that more people are exploring their talents and would love to use the arts as their source of livelihood. And with that statement i welcome Jera Etale & Feona Olunja to Metro Region. These two have worked together on stage as performers in the KIMC dances as well as choreographers for Nembu Girls. Last year they were position 4 in Metro and this is no easy task especially in a region that has amazing choreographers. The two have previously worked with Apostolic Carmel Girls, Olooseos and also Nile Road Girls.





The dynamic duo of Fredrick Masambaya & Henry Wanjala. Currently these two are Managing the Kenyan Boys Choir (a group I loved since it was started when we were in high school). Alumni of the great Aquinas High School (but do I say this school produced some of the best....hehehehe myself included!!) They have previously worked with Loreto Limuru and Gacio Junior Academy. Currently with Kenya High School. These guys are talented not only as choreographers but as composers of music.







One John Rickens has been choreographing in the Primary category for some time. Very quiet and you'd hardly notice him till he talks to you. John i live your humble nature and keep up the good work you have been doing with the pupils at Parklands Primary.




Another alumni of Aquinas High School is the defending winning choreographer (Primary Section) Vincent Omondi. This guy may not be known but he's surely making head way with his work on stage. So proud of you Vincent and hope to see more of your good work!



Last but definitely not least is the one and only Allan Chahasi. This guy is one person who does not shy away from controversy and will defend his item to the last minute. An avid script writer/director who has the potential of titlting the balance in the verse category but is limiting himself. Allan let go and unleash the Chahasi who emerged the best in 2005. Has worked with Mbale Boys, Nairobi School, St. Deborah Girls, Nairobi Technical Training College and EASMS.


NEXT I SHALL LOOK AT THE DIRECTORS IN CENTRAL REGION!!!!