Students’ projects
As part of the Art of Africa course in the third year of undergraduate studies, in the summer semester (dedicated to theatre in Africa), Dr. Zuzanna Augustyniak conducts an original, innovative project, during which students, under her guidance, write a drama based on African cultural texts, and then prepare a performance on its basis. Drawing on her theatrical experience, Dr. Augustyniak guides the participants through the process of creating a script based on a selected text, through the basics of acting, learning the elements characteristic of traditional African theatre, to the final effect, which is recording of the performance. In this way, students not only learn about African literature and dramatic traditions, but also have one more opportunity to practice the language of their specialisation, not to mention the accompanying excitement.
Academic year 2021/2022:
Bayajidda – a radio drama based on the story of the Hausa origins. Written and recorded by students of Hausa studies: Aleksander Banat, Adrianna Gorzka, Klementyna Jaroszyńska, Emilian Mucha, Igor Puchniak and Maria Wereszko.
Academic year 2023/2024:
M kama mauaji [M for Murder] – a radio drama in Swahili, based on the book by Elizabeth Mramba “Mtumwa Kwenye Nchi Huru” [A slave in a free country], prepared by students of Swahili, with guest appearance of students of Hausa and Amharic.
Script: Marcelina Gudaj, Michał Kosior, Mateusz Pastor.
Editing: Bazyli Kuraszkiewicz
Direction and production: Zuzanna Augustyniak
Cast:
Maria – Marcelina Gudaj
Michael; Prosecutor; Clerk; Lawyer – Mateusz Pastor
Majuto; Judge; Father; Boss – Michał Kosior
Boss’s Wife – Róża Czarnecka-Wiącek
Narrator – Izabela Romańczuk
Chorus: Olga Błaszczyk, Barbara Gutowska, Olga Kowal, Anastazja Peńska, Róża Czarnecka-Wiącek, Katarzyna Sylla.