The Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative


Musical Theatre by Africans, for Africa and Beyond.

The Nairobi-based NBO Musical Theatre Initiative aims

to offer contemporary African artists fresh, new and

alternative models and techniques for

creating plays with music.

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Who We are…

Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the NBO MTI brings together leading African musicians, composers, writers, actors and theatre artists, working with international mentors to create new musical theatre that reveals and amplifies African voices. As of 2020, we have already catalyzed the creation and development of 14 Kenyan musical theatre projects.

What we do...

  • Transform narratives about the African experience by bringing self-described African experiences to the forefront;

  • Address the under-explored potential for African musical theatre by providing an incubator for a new musical theatre form to emerge;

  • Amplify untold stories that are inherently African to engage young and old audiences locally, regionally and globally, in necessary conversations around pressing social themes;

  • Respond to the longing of local artists to gain necessary tools in musical theatre to create their own fusions that are expressive of their African identities;

  • Support the transmission of cultural practice through mentorship from older and more experienced artists to young and emerging artists that represent the next generation of African creatives;

  • Work with local and global mentors to support an artist-driven space for self-discovery;

  • Document, preserve and reflect upon a contemporary musical theatre evolution;

  • Explore methods that combine contemporary cultural and generational perspectives with the potential of transforming the global musical theatre canon.

What’s Coming Up?

The first cohort will be involved in the following planned activities this cycle. If you are interested in joining the second cohort contact us via info@nbomti.org

(All dates and programming subject to change. )

January 2021

WORKSHOP:

”Interweaving Book & Music”

March 2021

PITCHING SESSIONS: 

“Pitching Musicals to Alternative Media Collaborators”

May 2021

WORKSHOP:

Kicking off the Radio Play Development Process”

June 2021

WORKING SESSIONS

“Completing the Radio Draft of Musicals”