Former Kakamega Senator and playwright Cleophas Malala is calling on aspiring Kenyan actors to audition for roles in Echoes of War.
In an update on Wednesday, April 23, Malala extended the invitation to passionate and talented individuals with a love for theatre.
To participate, interested actors are required to visit Malala’s official TikTok page and review the script excerpts.
They should then select a character they feel best suited to portray and record a 30-second video performing the role.
The audition video must be posted on both Instagram and TikTok, with participants tagging Malala in their posts.
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Those who impress will be shortlisted and contacted for in-person auditions. The audition period will run from April 22 to May 5.
Echoes of War, set in the fictional Royal Velvet Emirates, follows Mustafa, a visionary young technologist whose innovations challenge a conservative regime.
The play delves into themes of intergenerational conflict, the tension between tradition and progress, and the cost of dissent.
Despite its initial success, placing third at the Western Regional Drama Festivals, Echoes of War faced significant challenges leading up to the National Drama Festival in Nakuru.
Butere Girls' High School principal allegedly acted on directives from higher authorities and sent the drama team home, effectively barring them from the national stage.
However, this decision was contested in court by former student Anifa Mango, resulting in a High Court order mandating the students' return and participation in the festival.
However, upon arrival at the festival, the students encountered further obstacles including the arrest of Malala who was their director.
Additionally, the students reported police harassment and inadequate stage conditions, leading them to stage a walkout after performing the national anthem.
Following the chaos surrounding the play, Malala vowed to take legal action, accusing officials of violating the rights of the students.
"The officials have definitely infringed the rights of those young girls, and we are going back to court to ensure that before the National Drama Festival ends, Butere Girls' High School gets a chance to perform.
"Whatever action is taken, I'm determined to ensure that Echoes of War is displayed before our Kenyan audience," he said.
Additionally, Malala expressed his support for the students who refused to perform due to his absence and alleged lack of props.
"I'm standing in solidarity with the decision of Butere Girls' students who said that they would not perform unless their director is there and all their props, and stage property are with them. They should be celebrated and their names inscribed in the history of this country," he added.
