Light Theatre Productions

CHRONICLES OF THE ABSURD

– LTP DRAMA CLUB 2016

It is with utmost dismay that I put this on paper. I may seem to have gone out of the norm but the situation I intend to address is clearly arduous and desperately deserves urgent attention. I write this in the capacity of a retired general and just a disclaimer; that anything that may be interpreted as you read through this my chronicles is out of my teams contemplations and not individual interests.

I am Martin Odongo, an alumni of the great Africa Nazarene University class of 2015. I believe to others I may need no much introduction but for the benefit of doubt, I am a retired Drama Club president (popularly referred to as Light Theater Productions). I write to express my views concerning the developing condition in the club.

I joined Nazarene in the year 2012 and was an addict of drama, of course with the background I had from my previous levels of education. I, teaming up with a group of faithfuls managed to propel the club to where it is as we speak now. I boast in pride for the well-deserved accolades courtesy of the office of the Dean of Students and our able Patron Mr. Mochache Peter. Additionally I was able to enjoy the mentorship of my spiritual leaders and proudly I can say I snatched the better part of the bargain during my tenure in Africa Nazarene University. Thanks to you Rev. Magaya and Racheal.

Drama being a co-curriculum activity in campus, has to be served the same attention as any other club just as it has been in the previous past. I respect and acknowledge all that has been done so far to ANU DRAMA CLUB. However, I am somewhat disappointed with the kind of messages I read from the student’s social media groups e.g. whatsapp and facebook as well as the direct phone calls I receive from the team I left behind. I promise to try stick to my modesty as I break it down for us.

Now, during the 2016 season, it has not been easy for the club handling rehearsals, class work and other personal schedules. It’s not news anyway because we have gone thought that and made it before. ANU Drama club after serious consultation with concerned authorities opted to merge Main campus and Town campus so as to cope with the stiff competition in the Metropolitan competition. This was majorly based on the fact that

I. The Mass Communication department (approximately 40% of drama members) had been moved to T.C.

II. Our festival only happens annually during the January Semester (not every semester like other clubs) and last for 3 months, a period when all the Law students (30% of drama members) are on their long holidays.

III. Our population at Main campus does not favor us in posing a healthy battle with our rivals like Kenyatta University.

Among other reasons.

Having put all this in to consideration and implemented it successfully, we have managed to do great and to be more specific, during my last year in campus as a Bachelors student where we managed to beat the so called power houses in Drama. Thank you Prof. Kigatira for donating a wheel chair.

That ended up setting up a record that the incoming team had to live up to or even do much better. Certainly there were possibilities considering the fact that the University had invested considerably in the club.

LTP never disappoints. This year, we genuinely managed book slots at the national podium with 3 items out of the 6 entries we had made at the Metropolitan level. Then it happened!

SERIOUSLY HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN TO A STUDENT WHO HAS FULLY COMMITTED HIS/HER THREE MONTHS IN DRAMA THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO ATTEND NATIONAL COMPETITION WHEN THEY RIGHTFULLY DESERVED AND EARNED THE SPOT!

Now, ladies and gentlemen, to a few, it may be understood but to many, the exact opposite may be interpreted. I thank you Mr. Desmond Otwoma for your support and leadership. However, during the 2016 season, I must admit you dint live up to the standards.

i. This is a team that has been spending their cash as transport to attend rehearsals in T.C every weekday and then later a joint rehearsal in Main campus during weekends for a whole 3 months.

ii. The same students have had a difficult moment to balance between their academics and drama and even risking extending their training to late in the nights.

iii. FYI, many of these students joined ANU because of drama for they saw a platform on which they could nature their talent. How do you explain to the student, parent or guardian that the institution had just pulled a prank on us?

iv. I was not to mention this but this are the same students who have had to spend cold nights in HELSTROM due to lack of accommodation within the school premises late after training!

It is this kind of commitment that keep us wining and making the name of Nazarene even bigger. I may understand the school is not in a position to sponsor the drama national competition 2016 .However, I am also in a position to understand that the budget for the activity is not done spontaneously on conditions. It is done in advance for planning purpose.

It is so sad that the dean of students could not even listen to the students ideas after a meeting was called to break the sad news to them. It was an abrupt summon (crisis like meeting) that was termed as a briefing meeting and not a discussion since no student, let alone the patron of the MOST ACTIVE CLUB in the NAZARENE , Mr. Peter Mochache , was allowed to contribute or share possible solutions to the crisis. So sad indeed. For Christ sake, these are University students who are trained on crisis management and creating possible solution. Why fail to listen to them. It was so dictatorial according to me and according to the recorded audio I listened to and I think professionally I wouldn’t do that to the people who look up to me.

The team is meant to be travelling to the venue (Meru town) this coming Friday but so far not even permission from the administration has been granted, leave alone facilitation. Ok, having debated out the matter, the students were even willing to share the burden by sponsoring part of the expenses, but no one gave them a listening ear. At this point, am compelled to mention something on the activity fee they give in form of school fees. I will not mention much on that though. It is quite evident that the club that has taken ages and restless committed souls from founders and pioneers is slowly dying. I have a feeling that the grave diggers are persons with personal issues with the team that has always done well therefore are just but simply trying to take advantage of the situation. Aki WHY KILL TALENT!

I make this appeal to Mr. Opiyo (ANU Finance) and Mr. Otwoma (Students Dean) that please, we can’t afford to restart it all over. It has costed us a lot if you ask me and I believe you even know better. Denying the students an opportunity from going to the Drama National Competition will NOT do us any good irrespective of how the situation in your offices may look like. Kindly meet the students and have a chat with them then also listen to their views. You may evaluate possible alternatives and give them a chance to explore their talents. Don’t shut them up the way you did the last time you met. Respect their views and try fit in their shoes too. The audio record of the conversation you had was not appealing I must admit. Yes. It was recorded.

I beg to rest it there. Hope I didn’t get out of the brackets. If I did kindly bear with my emotions.

Yours,

………………………………

12J01abt042@anu.ac.ke

Kenya National Drama Festivals - 2015

Results Overview

Good evening ladies and gentlemen. So sad we dint bring home a trophy as most of us expected. We had 3 items to the NATIONALS but unfortunately non of them was able to snatch trophy. That's disheartening but we are still strong as we all believe we did our best and truly deserved one. Anyway, we won a bunch of awards that will bring at least a smile to #LTP and #TeamLTP and from the results you will notice we were VERY CLOSE to it. We are proud of ourselves for we gave the "giants" a run for their cash.

PLAY: (Lambs and Hyenas).

1. Best Tragedy
2. Best Gender Responsive Play
3. Best Actress (Elizabeth Gathoni)
4. Most Promising actress (Elizabeth Gathoni)

MIME (The Dark Eclipse) "Ranked 3rd in the nation".

1. 2ND Runners up Best Costume and Decor
2. 2nd Runners up Best Production
3. Second Runners Up Best Scripted Mime
4. 2nd Runners Up Winning Mime
5. Best Actress Mime (Nyakio Kambi (Trizah) for the 3rd year in a row)

M-DANCE

***So unfortunate our dance won no award ladies and gentlemen. That posses a huge challenge as we start preparing for 2016.***

Appreciation to the team that stood with us in the course of our preparations and we call upon our supporters to keep on supporting. It is our responsibility to make sure Africa Nazarene University shines in theater and performing arts and we surely are dedicated to ensure it lives up to its dream. Shukrans sana tena sana.

Allow me to thank the guyz behind this success.
1. Peter Mochache Ongaga
2. Prosperous Pithon
3. Gassizo
4. Salsa Kenya
5. Fbi Dance Crew (Ezra)
6. ALL LTP MEMBERS. KAZI POA SANA. AM PROUD.

Light Theatre Productions

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Chronicles Of The Absurd!

Thursday, 31 March 2016

OUR FESTIVAL - LTP

Wednesday, 3 June 2015

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Friday, 15 May 2015

Suzzana Owiyo Wamielamiela by LTP DANCE CREW

Monday, 4 May 2015

MAFOUET DJ MIX #LTP DANCE CREW

Thursday, 16 April 2015