Introduction

This is a new department, which intends to produce dramatists and film directors to actors and bring out personnel that will be used to man cultural centres and teach drama in Kenyan schools. It will train film directors, actors and film technicians. The department of Theatre Arts and Film Technology innovative programmes in Theatre arts and Film right from certificate all the way to Ph.D. These rich and diverse programmes seek to explore two of the most popular art forms of this century in the larger context of humanistic studies. The department was started on realizing the need for a dynamic, homegrown, self-sustaining theatre and film industry that will employ thousands of Kenyan creative and performing artists. There is an apparent demand today for stage and film actors, photographers, directors, scriptwriters and film/theatre managers in our society to take professional roles in electronic media, cultural and education institutions and various endeavors of the performing arts.

Internal links

The department is part of the Visual and Performing Arts and has links with Music Fine Art and Literature. The department has link with Shangilia mtoto wa Africa Media and Film department. It is in this regard that we were enthusiastic when Mrs. Anne Mungai, Executive Director, Shangilia mtoto wa Africa Trust approached us with the idea of partnering with Shangilia Mtoto Wa Africa Trust (Film and Media department) in setting up a film project that plans to utilize a feature film to sensitize and educate Kenyans on the need for peaceful co-existence after the recent post-election crisis in Kenya. In this regard, the motion picture would open a public conversation platform to deflate so called ethnic disparities and re-define ethnicity from a positive perspective. The project also proposes to highlight gender issues especially the roles and rights of women viz a viz the elections and the aftermath. Indeed, performing and visual arts are crucial components of how society is formed and informed. The visual texts offer keen insights into human behaviour, culture change and the relationship between past and present. The department is also seeking links with the Film Corporation of Kenya, Kenya institute of Education, Communication Commission of Kenya and other like-minded organizations.

External links

The department will have to establish links with leading universities in the field such as Leeds and University College of Los Angeles (UCLA). It will also establish links with the department of music, dance and drama in Uganda.

Research

The key areas of research for students will include, but not limited to, the following areas:

Academic staff

So far there are four (4) members of staff, one full-time and three adjunct, who specialize in various areas of theatre and film. Other members of staff will be recruited as we develop.

Specialty and branding

This department will be renowned for its high caliber theatre and film productions and will train students of quality in creative writing and other areas of the entertainment industry.

Undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered

The department offers courses leading to three different degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate studies. A student has three options of study to choose from. One may do a degree in Theatre Arts or Film Technology or Theatre Arts and Film Technology.

At undergraduate a student will take not less than 12 courses in one academic year. Bachelors degree programme shall extend over a period of eight semesters.

The department will also offer courses under the institutional based programmes in due course.

The Master of Arts programme may be by course work, examination and thesis or Course work, examination and project.

The doctorate programme will be by thesis only.

Resources and facilities

This is a new department, which is temporarily accommodated at the former Performing and Creative Arts Centre. It will eventually move to the School of Visual and Performing Arts Complex to be built soon. Good attempt has been made to acquire the necessary facilities and material in Theatre and Film.

Student’s profile

Currently, in the very first semester since its inception, the department has 32 students in the first year of undergraduate programme in the academic year 2008/2009. The number of Master of Arts students are two (2) and Ph.D students are Five (5).

Student destination

Graduates from this department may work in many areas including the following: