During an investment forum held last year in Thika for the Central part of Kenya, the performing arts sector was identified as a major opportunity for the region to grow the much desired employment for the youth.

The Performing Arts and Theatre in Nyeri County are now set for a dramatic renaissance.

In a private / public partnership, Kimathi University College of Technology’s AFYD Theatre Group and the newly launched Artists for Contemporary Theatre (ACT) will be hosting a Talent Show this Friday, 6th May 2011, starting at 3.00pm at the College’s Auditorium.

The talent show, dubbed DISCOVER, UNCOVER & UNLEASH YOUR TALENTS, will be featuring Poetry, Dance and Music, Comedy, Skits, Catwalk and / or Tom walk (fashion Show by men).

New as well as existing pieces will be showcased by performing artists from within and outside the University, including some prominent artists and writers born or resident in the Nyeri County.

This is expected to be a first joint performance, while many more are expected in the near future.

ACT recently conducted a well attended Community Theatre Training Workshop at the YMCA.The training programme, which was facilitated by a UN International Community Theatre Consultant, covered The Role Of Participatory Community Theatre in Development, Message Design, Participatory Script Development, Improvisation and Characterization, Mobilization, Performance and Evaluation.

The group will be conducting further theatre training to enhance performing skills development and capacity building in the Mt. Kenya region, in the near future.

There are plans to take the DISCOVER, UNCOVER and UNLEASH YOUR TALENT SHOW on the road to other centres in the Nyeri county.

This will be a landmark show bridging the gap between performing artists, the University fraternity and the local population resulting in mutual understanding and therefore improved public and intra community relations, which is needed in the new county.