During this pause in our programming due to COVID-19, we'd like to introduce the fabulous writers who are currently developing new plays with us!

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Meet Makambe!

Makambe K. Simamba is a Dora Award winning playwright and actor for her solo work, Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers (b current performing arts). She recently co-directed inVISIBLE (Too) at the University of Lethbridge. Selected acting credits include Winners and Losers (Chromatic Theatre), A Chitenge Story (HandsomeAlice), GIANT (Ghost River Theatre), Bea (SageTheatre), SIA (Pyretic Productions), inVISIBLE (HandsomeAlice), Burn Your Maps (Cinelou Films), Grand Army (Netflix),and Young Drunk Punk (Citytv). Makambe is a national award winning playwright whose work includes Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers, A Chitenge Story, Makambe Speaks, MUD and The Drum Major Instinct. She is 2020/21 Urjo Kareda Artist in Residence at the Tarragon Theatre, as well as co-host of the Blackstage Pass podcast at Cahoots theatre. Makambe is a proud Zambian whose intention is to be of service through her ability to tell stories.  www.makambe.com

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If you could describe yourself in 3 words what would they be?

Makambe: Magical, Curious, Ready.
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What's your favourite part of the writing process?
Makambe: You know that feeling when you're in the middle of a draft, and you're stuck? You stare helplessly at the screen and then decide to give up? Then randomly, while you're washing the dishes, or lying in bed in the morning staring at the ceiling, it clicks? The ending reveals itself, or a character speaks to you, or your brain magically conjures the missing piece for your narrative that takes it from zero to hundred. That feeling! That "ah-ha" is my favourite part of the writing process.

What excites you about creating work for young audiences?
Makambe: Some of the brightest, most passionate, inspirational and vibrant humans I know are young people. They are changemakers and innovators, and it is a privilege to be in conversation with them through my work.

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We will be highlighting each playwright we're currently working with throughout the month, but if you're eager to learn more now, click here.

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Are you a playwright interested in creating work for young audiences? We'd love to hear from you! We accept script submissions year-round and will also be announcing a new playwright development program this month!

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