Theatre
DISCRIT ZIMBABWE (DISPASSIONATELY CRITICAL OF ZIMBABWE)
Showing at LaMama Theatre, Carlton Melbourne June 12 - 29, 2008
SkinnyTwin thanks LaMama for funding the script development and presentation of Dispassionately Critical of Zimbabwe written by Simon Tengende with Dramaturge Naomi Steinborner and Directed by Chris Molyneux. The play explores the tragedy of the failed land re-distribution policy by the Mugabe Regime.
WHO IS ABDUL SMITH?
a comedy show described as a multi-cullti comedy quest, Simon was involved as a stand up comedian focusing the sometimes not so serious side of Zimbabwean politics and economic problems
[The Torch Project] -The Con 13th – 25th November 2007
Re-Igniting Community West presents 'The Con' - an epic sweep of real stories gathered from the suburbs of Western Melbourne. A dynamic montage of the inspiring experiences of everyday people coping, with displacement, migration, racism and the daily struggle to establish a new and better life. A celebration of the courage and resilience of ordinary Indigenous, Migrant and recently arrived Australians performed by a talented multi-cultural cast and featuring a powerful world music soundtrack. Written and directed by Dave Houston, 'The Con' is performed by Simon Tengende (Skinnytwin Theatre Troupe) Fanny Hanusin, Andrew Jans-Brown, Jason Tamiru, and a strong community cast. Please go to www.thetorch.asn.au for more information.
A Country Crossroads[PLAY] 4th September 2007
Written & Directed by Simon Tengende
Where: Kaleide Theatre, RMIT city campus Time and date: Sept 4th, 7pm (free bar) Cast: Cory Corbett, Karim Degal, Dave
“HOPE DEFFERED MAKETH THAT SOMETHING SICK” who said that….
A country crossroad is a play about two Zimbabweans who have finished studying in Australia and now face the possibility of going back to a shattered country. Armed with prestigious degrees from renowned Australian universities, a crumbling economy with inflation over \100 000%, and a thriving violent dictatorship boasting a 92% unemployment populace all but become a reality at this hour as they find themselves, under a tree, with one leaf, somewhere, at country crossroads.
A Country Crossroads - The Documentary September 2007
Written and directed by Simon Tengende
A country crossroads documentary was filmed as a series of interviews of International students at RMIT, in the RAIS office behind the student's union desk every Wednesday between 2.30 and 5.30pm. Produced and directed by Simon Tengende and Filmed by Consul Gonzalves Jnr, The interviews explore what it means to be an international student, living in Melbourne away from family and friends and the trials and tribulations that make or break the Australian International student. The documentary will be shown in Clarke Theatre on the 4th of September before the play.
Johannesbugh; Any given weeknight
The Arts Centre, Short & Sweet Festival 2006
Written by Wyne Brandt, Directed by Simon Tengende,
Cast: Cory Corbett, Karim Degal, Dayne Christian & Morgan Dunn.
In the current atmosphere of Xenophobic attacks on migrants by South Africans in townships across the country, Johannesbugh- Any Given Weeknight is the story of one man confronted by the violence of modern day South Africa, With a world class cast and supported by the very professional Short and Sweet crew at the Arts Centre, no soul is safe, on the streets of Johannesburg, any given weeknight.
Workshops
Voices of Young Australians- Centre for Multicultural Youth
Skinny Twin was involved in the comedy workshops and theatre workshops resulting in two performances by young people focusing on racism , discrimination, social inclusion and identity. The young people who participated came from diverse backgrounds such as Sudanese, Ethiopian, Somali, Italian, Burmese, Vietnamese and Chinese.
Building Bridges acting Workshops: City of Brimbank
In partnership with the city of Brimbank, Skinny Twin held acting workshops for Youth from the city of Brimbank as part of the city wide building bridges project. With keen and talented participants with a background from Somalia, Croatia, Sudan , Vietnam and Australia , the workshop outcome was identity and tolerance driven as part of the Building bridges performance in Sunshine.
Voices of Young Australians Workshops
With a working theme of RACE, ”Is it because I is different” a group of 12 young leaders from diverse communities explored through improvisation and role playing the concept of RACE under Skinny Twin performance workshop structure. A performance was created highlighting some of the racially driven issues young people are grappling in the Very Multicultural environment of Melbourne.
Sudanese Australian Integrated learning workshops
Supported by a talented troupe of artists through Western Edge, a film maker, Hip hop guru, and musician, Skinny Twin held two, four week bloc workshops at the two SAIL campuses at Maidstone and Braybrook. Young SAILERS explored their New Land and Old Ghosts through role playing and story telling leading to the making of the I SAW A MONSTER movie, along the way, some break dancing and heavy hip hopping shaking was offered for the enjoyment of the very committed SAIL volunteers.
SAIL is a volunteer, non-profit, secular organization that provides free English support & community services to the Sudanese refugee community in Melbourne & Sydney, Australia.
CMYI Mentor /Mentee workshop
Convening a meeting between mentors and mentees can be tricky and daunting, Skinny Twin has worked with CMYI on the Mentorship program and Multi Faith mentoring program to structure the introductory workshops between mentors and mentees. With a strong focus on facilitating a comfortable atmosphere of meeting and sharing between expectant participants, Skinny Twin in takes the time to structure the activities that facilitate this interaction.
