BOLDTheatre & Film institute

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUMS & EXCHANGE

Bold Theatre International Symposiums are creative gatherings that bring together artists from different parts of the world to train, collaborate, and create new work.
They function as:
-Performance labs
-Intercultural exchange spaces
-Mentorship platforms
-Collaborative production environments
Artists share techniques, develop projects, and explore how different cultural influences shape performance. Participants train together, devise material, and present new work at the end of the programme.

International Collaborations

Through symposiums and exchange programmes, Bold Theatre has worked with institutions and artists from around the world, including:
Seoul Institute of the Arts (South Korea)
La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club (USA)
International artists from Paraguay, Brazil, and Europe
These collaborations have included:

• Cross-border devising workshops
• Joint digital productions
• International mentorship sessions
• Collaborative performances
Our work continues to build bridges between local and global artists, positioning Nairobi as an active hub for intercultural performance.

Intercultural Productions

Bold Theatre’s intercultural collaborations are built through the mentorship programme,
where local and international artists work together to create new performance projects.

Richi Wa Utat (Richard III)

One of our flagship intercultural mentorship projects is Richi Wa Utat, a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Richard III, directed by international collaborator Adam Parker. Set in Nairobi’s informal settlements, the story follows Richi, a young man rising from the streets of Korogocho through ruthless ambition, betrayal, and survival. The adaptation reflects the social and economic realities faced by many young people in the city. The play is performed in Sheng, Nairobi’s most widely spoken urban language, and blends East African culture, mythology, and street aesthetics. This allows young artists from marginalised communities to see their own stories represented on stage.

A Mentorship-Led Production

Richi Wa Utat is part of Bold Theatre’s Learn & Earn mentorship model. Through this project:
Young artists from informal settlements receive performance training.
Participants are supported with meals, transport, and rehearsal resources.
Artists gain experience working with international directors.
The production creates paid opportunities for performers, musicians, and designers. The process creates a space for:
-Artistic development
-Social awareness
-Community advocacy
-Youth empowerment