Behind the curtain: What it takes to host the National drama festivals

Hosting always seems like a lot of work- but for Lions and Melvin Jones Schools, it's nothing new.

Being second-time hosts of the drama festivals and fourth-time hosts of the music festivals has likely sharpened their expertise in managing large events.

We spoke to a drama official about what goes into selecting venues for such festivals and to the head of an institution about what it takes to be a great host.

Professor Christopher Odhiambo, the National Chairman of the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival Committee, explains the convenience that comes with having well-equipped facilities for hosting such a large-scale event.

“We chose the three institutions to host this year’s event owing to the convenient facilities they have. Most of the public and private schools we have do not have the facilities that can help us host such an event,” he says.

He notes that having venues close to each other contributes to a seamless experience for participants and audiences.

“We like having a one-stop shop where all the facilities are available. Right now, Lions, Melvin Jones, and Menengai are within walking distance, so participants can easily move from one hall to another. We have about nine halls dedicated to performances, theater, and film,” Prof. Odhiambo says, adding that a key aspect of the festival is creating an atmosphere that allows for interaction between the audience and the participants.

According to him, the proximity of the schools also reduces logistical challenges and enhances both safety and economic efficiency.

“If the venues are spread out too far, it kills the spirit of the festival and makes it extremely difficult to manage. If you have one school 10–25 km away from another, it has economic implications because you have to keep driving back and forth. You can imagine the complications if you had to travel from one place to another with limited time,” he says.

On his part, Phanuel Imbusi, the Headteacher of Lions School, describes hosting the festival as a labor of love.

“Hosting such an event requires proper focus, knowing what is needed, and understanding the technical aspects that keep everything running smoothly,” he says. “It means being ready to burn the midnight oil, sacrificing your time, energy, and everything in between.”

Imbusi explains that hosting such a large-scale, creative event is no small feat, especially for someone who doesn’t come from an arts or drama background. He also highlights the challenge of balancing hospitality with protecting school property.

“As we host, we ensure minimal interaction between visitors and our school belongings- desks, chairs, books, etc. Most of our classrooms are locked, and students are asked to empty their lockers in the few rooms that may be used,” he explains.

According to Imbusi, Lions School’s track record with the Kenya Music Festival helped pave the way for their current hosting role in the drama festival.

“I was the first to bring the Kenya Music Festival from Nairobi to Nakuru, and I did it for three consecutive years. When the drama executive team saw that I managed it well with the facilities I had, they realized we could also host the drama festival,” he says. “That happened around 2017, and we are now hosting the 63rd edition.”

While hosting is not a commercial venture, Imbusi says it brings immense value to the school and the community.

“We love offering services and meeting the needs of people. A little grass being trampled doesn't hurt; we can manage that,” he says, adding that the exposure the school gets is worth far more than any advertisement.

“How much money do schools spend on advertising? We don’t need that for Lions School. Because of this service, the school is known far and wide, and so, we barely feel the weight of hosting. But to reach where we’ve reached, it has taken networking, but most importantly, passion,” Imbusi says proudly.