Developing Genuine Malawian Theatre on Stage and on the Radio

The conversations in Critical Stages in Malawian Contemporary Theatre go far beyond a simple celebration of the arts. Hosted by Fumbani Innot Phiri and presented with HowlRound Theatre Commons, this podcast sits down with established performers, directors, and writers from across the field to examine the very real pressures facing live performance today. Each episode is built from candid interviews that dig into the specific, often precarious journey of theatre in Malawi and within a wider modern context dominated by motion pictures. Rather than offering easy answers, these discussions work to honestly define the complex problems at hand-from cultural shifts to practical sustainability-while thoughtfully searching for actionable solutions. Listeners are brought directly into a dialogue about resilience and adaptation, hearing firsthand from artists who are actively navigating these challenges in their own work and institutions. The result is a nuanced, necessary exploration for anyone interested in the future of performing arts, providing a vital platform for the voices shaping Malawian stages. This isn't just a series about theory; it's a close look at the ongoing effort to sustain and vitalize theatre for current and coming generations, making each episode a unique chapter in a larger, living conversation.