NBO Musical Theatre Initiative Podcast

NBO MTI

A podcast following the lives and crafts of the NBO Musical Theatre Initiative family; a group of adventurous, rule breakers constantly causing disruptions in the Kenyan entertainment landscape.

Episodes

  1. 02/26/2021

    Aleya Kassam: The Virtual Stage

    Aleya Kassam is a Kenyan feminist, storyteller, writer and performer. Her writing has been performed and published on multiple platforms and stages around the world, from Nairobi to Kigali to Stuttgart. She is widely experimental; from page to stage, screen to speaker, micro fiction to memory poems, docu theatre to participatory filmmaking - she loves to play with how people experience story. As the ‘A’ in The LAM Sisterhood, she fills the world with stories for African women to feel seen, heard and beloved, like the award winning, Brazen. In the second episode of the NBO MTI Podcast, we have a conversation with Aleya Kassam about online theatre, her experiences, her favourite character from her musical Pani Puri, which she is writing in collaboration Eric Wainaina and Rushab Nandha, and how the NBO MTI allowed her to step out of her comfort zone and challenge her. Also, you’ll find out what music she’s listening to and what book’s she’s reading, and whether they’re any good. Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbomusicaltheatreinitiative/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbomusicaltheater/ Follow Aleya on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/aleyakassam Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleyakassam/ Wordpress www.chanyado.wordpress.com Subscribe to the #LAMLetter on: http://bit.ly/3jt6yW9 Learn more about the NBO MTI on our website: https://nbomti.org Hosted by Wanjiku Mwawuganga: https://www.instagram.com/wanjikumwawuganga/ Produced by Karishma Bhagani: https://www.instagram.com/karishma9597/ Edited by Rushab Nandha: https://www.instagram.com/rushabnandha/

    52 min
  2. Eric Wainaina: Product vs. Process

    02/19/2021

    Eric Wainaina: Product vs. Process

    In the premiere episode of the NBO MTI Podcast, Eric gives us an insight into how he approaches the writing of his characters and surviving as an artist during the pandemic by prioritising process over product. Eric Wainaina has been a staple in Kenya’s music scene since the mid 90’s, he stepped into the limelight as part of Five Alive, a male A Capella band. His seminal hit, Daima, is widely considered Kenya’s second national anthem and was recorded while still a student at the Berklee College of Music. He has released five studio albums and has written, produced, recorded and composed music for TV, film and global sporting events including the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Outside of music, Eric has a long-standing career in musical theatre. In 2004, he wrote and co-starred in Mo Faya a 21-piece musical theatre showcase inspired by the legend of Lwanda Magere, a mythical warrior in Luo folklore. The musical was staged for 8 weeks at the GoDown Arts Centre in Nairobi before a national tour spanning 52 shows. It was then selected for performance at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2009. In 2010, he wrote and produced the music for Tinga Tinga Tales a British-Kenyan children’s TV series comprised of 52 episodes based on African folk tales. Commissioned by the BBC for its CBeebies channel, and Disney Channel for its Disney Junior block, the programme was later adapted into a musical and was presented at the New Victory Theatre on Broadway in New York in October 2018. In 2016 he established The Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative with Sundance dramaturg Roberta Levitow to offer African artists new and alternative models for creating musicals. The initiative has catalysed the creation of 11 Kenyan musicals. Follow us on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbomusicaltheatreinitiative/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbomusicaltheater/ Follow Eric on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericwainaina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericwainainamusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericwainainamusic Learn more about the NBO MTI on our website: https://nbomti.org Hosted by Wanjiku Mwawuganga: https://www.instagram.com/wanjikumwawuganga/ Produced by Karishma Bhagani: https://www.instagram.com/karishma9597/ Edited by Rushab Nandha: https://www.instagram.com/rushabnandha/

    41 min

About

A podcast following the lives and crafts of the NBO Musical Theatre Initiative family; a group of adventurous, rule breakers constantly causing disruptions in the Kenyan entertainment landscape.