Playmakers: Bringing plays to the doorstep of Kiamunyi residents
Members of playmakers during Dear Charles Play performance at Players Theatre.
A group of actors are making waves in Kiamunyi estate by using play to address intricate societal issues while pulling young people interested in art to join in.
The group dubbed Playmakers was first formed in 1997, at Nakuru Players Theatre, where they staged various plays. Over time, the group decided to establish their own space in Kiamunyi.
Mtaa Wangu is receiving this account of events from the founder Michael Kamunya, who reveals that the move was informed by the fact that most members lived in Kiamunyi.
“We used to train and rehearse at Players Theatre, but we discovered that almost all of us were from the same neighbourhood. That’s when we decided to relocate to Kiamunyi and create our own space,” Kamunya explains.
Michael Kamunya, the founder of Playmakers at a previous show in Kiamunyi.
In 2006, the group registered as a youth group, broadening its mission beyond entertainment to also tap into government funding.
“At that time, many funds were being set up to support young people. We decided to register as a youth group to access these opportunities and diversify our revenue streams,” Kamunya says.
The group later partnered with various organizations to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS through community plays. Kamunya notes that these campaigns were highly impactful, fostering a strong connection with the community, leaving audiences eager for more performances.
“Because of the meaningful themes in our plays, many people began asking where they could watch us regularly. That’s how we ended up staging plays in a small hall in Kiamunyi,” he says.
Since then, Playmakers has consistently staged productions in the area, attracting young talent and inspiring interest in the arts.
They now host three shows annually, including their recent success, Dear Charles, which was also staged at Nakuru Players Theatre.
In addition to theatre, the group has started a reading area for school children, providing a space for homework and book access.
“The library is designed to cultivate a reading culture among students while introducing them to the arts,” Kamunya adds.
Despite their successes, Kamunya highlights challenges, particularly the high costs of running the theatre without regular shows.
However, he remains optimistic about expanding their space to create more opportunities for young talent in Kiamunyi and beyond.
“We hope to mentor more young people and provide a platform for them to showcase their skills,” he concludes.