Theatre enthusiasts in Zimbabwe are in for a treat this festive season all thanks to the work of the Almasi Playwrights festival. After days of rigorous reworking and editing of their texts, five playwrights will have the opportunity to have their work presented at a play reading in front of an audience. Readings will take place over three days (20-22 December) and will be hosted at the famed Reps Theatre in Zimbabwe.

Almasi Collaborative Arts is the brainchild of award-winning actress and playwright Danai Gurira. The organisation’s mission is to empower local artists in Africa through education and providing employment opportunities; this festival alone is said to have created over sixty jobs.

The playwright’s conference has been a staple for Almasi and has had various acclaimed playwrights including Virgina Phiri and Gideon Jeph Wabvuta’s works workshopped during the festival.

This year, five playwrights were selected to partake in the festive namely, Batsirai Chigama, Kingsley Chinhanhu, Amanda Ranganawa, Rudo Mtangadura and Tatenda Mutyambizi. The festival is also a Pan-African affair and has had writers from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa showcasing their works.

This year the conference was facilitated by Giden Jeph Wabvuta and Oskar Eustis who works as the artistic director at the Public Theatre in New York City.