Development of Malawian Theatre: A Conversation with Maxwell Chiphinga

Development of Malawian Theatre: A Conversation with Maxwell Chiphinga

Author: Fumbani Innot Phiri, HowlRound Theatre Commons November 9, 2022 Duration: 44:59
Maxwell Ciphinga, better known as Max DC, has weathered massive changes in the audience, form, and funding of Malawian theatre throughout his four-decade career. In this interview, he shares his perspective on the industry and discusses his policy and producorial work as the president of Malawi’s new National Theatre Association.

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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 12

Critical Stages in Malawian Contemporary Theatre
Podcast Episodes
Dance for Change: A Conversation with Robert Magasa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:34
Robert Magasa is an experienced dancer, choreographer, and actor who trained in Zimbabwe and now runs UjeNi Dance Ensemble Theatre in Malawi. In this interview, Magasa discusses his career, the economics of producing the…