• About us
  • Contribute Content
  • Donate
Friday, September 22, 2023
  • Login
  • Register
The African Theatre Magazine
  • Home
    • About us
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • People
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
The African Theatre Magazine
  • Home
    • About us
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • People
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
The African Theatre Magazine
No Result
View All Result

My Ability to Dance and Sing has Played a Big Role in my Career – Dalma

Takudzwa Chihambakwe by Takudzwa Chihambakwe
November 9, 2019
in People
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterWhatsapp

She is daring, adroit and has amazing stage presence. Whenever she is part of the cast, she gets theatre enthusiasts lining up to the ticket booth in anticipation. Her name is Dalma Chiwereva.

Unlike many who struggle to figure out which career path they should follow, for Dalma it was very easy. “I began acting at a very young age when I was still in primary school,” she says.

“It’s funny how I was cast in every production at school that is how I knew I was on the right path and never turned back.”

The jovial character who is also a recording singer says her journey began more than a decade ago when she was cast in play staged for secondary school students.

“Styx Mhlanga’s adapted a set book into a play which we performed for Ordinary Level students who were writing it in their examinations that year. This marked the beginning of my journey in theatre.

“It opened so many doors that saw me getting cast for other big theatre productions in Harare, resulting in me working with legends like the late Walter Muparutsa’s Global Arts Trust and Dave’s Guzha’s Rooftop Promotions.”

Dalma in Lamentations at 12

On a roll, the heavens kept smiling on Chiwereva as she continued to be called in for more work. “I went on to be cast for What they said What they Got. With this production I scooped the Best Actress Award in all of Zimbabwe’s 10 Province’s in a very tight competition.”

To date Chiwereva has stared in productions like The 2Wives of John Mambo, The Trial of Dedan Kimathi, The Sun Will Rise Again, The Dead Man’s Cellphone, Coming Home, and Blood Tongue the Musical, and many more.

In 2016, Chiwereva featured in Getrude Munhamo’s two-hander, Lamentations at 12, one of the few plays that has enjoyed a lengthy life cycle in recent years running for a good two years at theatres world over.

She considers this production one of the highlights of her career.

“The highlights of my career in the game are having travelled the world. I embarked on a world tour with Lamentations at 12. We performed on very big stages and festivals such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland – where we staged 26 performances. We got some positive feedback from revered international theatre critics,” she recollects.

Dalma (right) in action in the Play Lamentations at 12.
Dalma (right) in action in the Play Lamentations at 12.

As one Bishop Tudor Bismark once said, “Exposure brings forth revelation and revelation brings transformation,” – this is the reality of how traveling has impacted Dalma’s career.

“Travelling has been an eye opening experience for me. Attendance of shows in Zimbabwe is quite disappointing but in other parts of Africa and the world it is a different.”

“Out there, people appreciate theatre, they attend shows and their Governments support theatre arts in full force. They pour money into the craft which makes it very easy for it to grow.”

See also: Billy Langa and Mahlatsi Mokgonyana on Pushing the Boundaries of the Craft

She recalls how South Africa was able to send more than one production to the Edinburgh festival. “They brought at least five productions’ in Edinburgh while we were the only Zimbabwean production showcasing. We have so many stories to tell the world out there but because of lack of funding it becomes very difficult. Our Government should definitely look into this and fund our industry.”

While they are many other female actors with more experience compared to Dalma, being an amazing dancer and vocalist helps her stand out despite. “My ability to dance and sing has definitely played a big role in my career. I always get cast for key roles and get to explore all of my talents especially with musicals. Also not forgetting being multilingual is a bigger advantage and that means more jobs for me. I am forever grateful for that and appreciate those who appreciate my talents and make sure they are put in good use,” she remarked.

Dalma Chiwereva on stage
Dalma Chiwereva on stage

Chiwereva wants more and is keeping her eyes peeled for an opportunity for a solo performance.  “I have performed in a two hander.  I loved it. One with many players is always fun and less challenging. As for a one hander I would love to try. It is a very difficult I hear. But, since I managed a two-hander, let’s keep growing and see how a one-man show would be like.”

Interestingly, unlike most of the actors of her generation, Dalma never acquired any formal education in theatre.

“For the past years I have been performing using my God given talent with no academic qualifications but of course participating in workshops learning from different mentor’s.

“However, I will soon be taking up programmes at the Zimbabwe Theatre Academy so I equip myself with the necessary knowledge for future productions. “As more opportunities will continue to arise, the global market will definitely require more than just your talent,” she highlighted.

 

Takudzwa Chihambakwe

Takudzwa Chihambakwe

Takudzwa Chihambakwe is a passionate arts journalist who has been tracking and documenting Zimbabwe's arts and culture events since 2013. In 2015 he started covering theatre stories and since then he has grown to be a critic and avid fan of the genre.

Related Posts

Dr. Julisa Rowe in Night Mother with co-star Rachel Kostrna
Features

Dr. Julisa Rowe: On Drama, Ministry and Giving Back to the Next Generation

March 26, 2021
1k
Nyokabi Macharia in Too Early For Birds: Brazen (Photo courtesy: SixtyOne)
People

Nyokabi Macharia: Marching to the Beat of Her Own Drum

March 11, 2021
1k
Robert Serumaga: The Pantheon of Uganda’s Theatre in the ‘70
Features

Robert Serumaga: The Pantheon of Uganda’s Theatre in the ‘70s

October 17, 2020
1.7k
Next Post
Legend actor, John Kani who leads the cast of The Lion and the Lamb

The Lion and The Lamb is Musical Feast for the Ears!

What people are saying

More Reads

  • People
  • Opinion
  • Festivals
  • Reviews
ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Reads

  • Uganda's Theatre pioneer Elvania Namukwaya Zirimu

    Uganda’s Elvania Namukwaya who Broke the Glass Ceiling of Theatre

    957 shares
    Share 651 Tweet 128
  • 10 Masterpieces in Ugandan Theatre

    733 shares
    Share 522 Tweet 88
  • Robert Serumaga: The Pantheon of Uganda’s Theatre in the ‘70s

    348 shares
    Share 139 Tweet 87
  • Namasagali College: How the School Became Uganda’s Arts Hub

    546 shares
    Share 349 Tweet 82
  • Rose Mbowa of ‘Mother Uganda’ and Her Theatre

    485 shares
    Share 289 Tweet 82

Follow us on Twitter

Tweets by @AfriTheatreMag

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

    The Instagram Access Token is expired, Go to the Customizer > JNews : Social, Like & View > Instagram Feed Setting, to to refresh it.
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

Become a partner/Sponsor our work. Email tuvugafritheatre@gmail.com

© 2019 - The African Theatre Magazine - Developer.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • People
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Donate

© 2019 - The African Theatre Magazine - Developer.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
OR

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Donate
Contribute