The company Traces Théâtre from Bobo-Dioulasso and the Troupe Songni from Samorogouan have initiated a joint project in the field of theatre. Called Reinventing theatrical creation, the project was officially launched on Saturday May 20, 2023 at the town hall of Samorogouan, in the province of Kénédougou.
According to Moussa Sanou, director of the company Traces Théâtre, the project Reinventing theatrical creation was born from the observation that the level of theater began to seriously decline in the Hauts-Bassins region. A universe marked by the weakness and amateurism of theatrical structures. Hence the initiative for this project led by the company Traces Théâtre from Bobo-Dioulasso and the Troupe Songni from Samorogouan, who submitted it to the Cultural and Tourism Development Fund (FDCT) through a call for projects. The project should make it possible to train 33 actors in the chain of theatrical creation.
They are 3 authors, 3 directors, 21 actors, 3 sound and light managers, 3 scenographers (sets and accessories). After their theoretical training, all these actors will move on to practice through three theatrical creations that they will have to implement, each bringing their own touch in their specific field. Thus, the trainee authors will write texts; these texts will be staged by trainee directors; trainee actors will be employed in these creations; the trainee scenographers will design the props and sets for these shows and the light and sound managers will draw up the light and sound plans for these shows. So in early October 2023, “normally at the end of the process, we should have three shows created”, according to Moussa Sanou. Before the training phase, he first had the selection of 33 actors from different links in the value chain of the theater industry to be trained.
These actors come not only from the company Traces Théâtre and the Troupe Songni, but also from the Troupe Kéwali de Orodara. At a cost of about 30 million FCFA, the project Reinventing theatrical creation takes place from April 15 to October 05, 2023. Moussa Sanou and Drissa Traoré, the president of the Songni Troupe, did not miss the opportunity to reiterate their thanks to the FDCT and its partner the European Union. During the launch ceremony, two shows were presented. One, on the need for sacred union in the face of the security crisis by the Troupe Songni and the other, on the risks of illegal immigration by the company Traces Théâtre.
The ambiguity raised on the effectiveness of the FDCT
According to Issa Barry, head of the FDCT/ Hauts-Bassins branch, the project Reinventing theatrical creation was selected because it presents many interests. For this call for projects, the Cultural and Tourism Development Fund received 526 applications. Only 80 of these files have received funding approval, including 8 in the Hauts-Bassins region (7 in the province of Houet and 1 in Kénédougou). This is why he urges and encourages the 33 actors benefiting from this project to invest fully in training in order to be role models in the field of theatre. Because, “Theatre is not just fun, it’s a profession”.
Georges Bado, Provincial Director of Culture, Arts and Tourism of Kénédougou, does not hide his joy. He feels “feelings of pride. I am moved by obtaining this project, this funding that one of my structures here in Samorogouan has just obtained. This comforts me in relation to certain remarks that we hear here and there. Many say they apply, but never got anything from the FDCT. This financing removes the ambiguity, it is effective: the Fund exists and finances projects. If your project is normal, clean, there is no doubt, you will be financed by the Fund”, he rejoices.
Aly Konate
