“Makambe Speaks is both unexpected, and thought-provoking. It is full of twists and turns, she plays several characters as she uses humour to approach serious topics.The show is cabaret style, which works perfectly as Makambe addresses the audience a few times and plays off their responses. It also gives it a more intimate feeling. I would recommend anyone to see this, as Makambe has a unique voice and it is an unforgettable show.”
-Makambe Speaks Audience Member
“Makambe Speaks is filled with sparkling humour, playful storytelling and challenging truths. Makambe makes use of her incredible charm and wit as she draws us into intimate stories about her life's journey while shedding light on some important questions about local and global societal constructs. It's a complex and deeply moving piece of performance-art theatre. Check it out while you can!”
-Makambe Speaks Audience Member
JOIN US FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE
April 27-May 6 2023: TICKETS ON SALE NOW
*April 25 and 26 Previews are at capacity.
Makambe speaks
Created by Makambe K Simamba and Eric Rose
Featuring Makambe K Simamba
A Black Woman. A prairie sky. The Ponoka County Fair.
An adventure! A fantasy! A WHOLE LOTTA JOKES!
Fragments of stand-up comedy, musical theatre and a few other surprises combine in this fantasia of rage, cultural commentary, and star-crossed love.
Check out our Show Program HERE
Makambe K Simamba is a Dora Award winning playwright and actor for her most recent solo work, Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers (b current performing arts). She recently co-directed inVISIBLE (Too) at the University of Lethbridge. Stage acting credits include A Chitenge Story (Handsome Alice, Betty Mitchell Award Nomination for Outstanding Actress), GIANT (Ghost River Theatre), Bea (Sage Theatre), SIA (Pyretic Productions) and inVISIBLE (Handsome Alice). Screen acting credits include Titans (HBO MAX), Burn Your Maps (TIFF) and Young Drunk Punk (Citytv). Makambe is a national award-winning playwright whose work includes Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers, A Chitenge Story, MUD and The Drum Major Instinct. She was the Urjo Kareda Artist in Residence at the Tarragon Theatre for the 2020/21 season. Makambe is a proud Zambian whose intention is to be of service through her ability to tell stories.
2023 CREDITS
Makambe K. Simamba: Co-Creator and Performer
Eric Rose: Director and Co-Creator
Meg Farnhall: Dramaturg
Steve Isom: Lighting Designer
Kristin Eveleigh: Sound Designer
Naomi Esau: Stage Manager
Tauran Wood: Technical Director
Misha Maseka: Vocal Coach
Cindy Ansah: Choreograph Consultant
Special Thanks to
Presenting Sponsor Sentinel Storage
Calgary Arts Development for providing funding for the World Premiere of Makambe Speaks and our January 2020 and August 2022 development workshops for this project.
Handsome Alice Theatre for their partnership and support.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
January 2020: Ghost River Theatre Workshop, Calgary
June 2021: Online Workshop
August 2021: Spotlight Canada: The Pitch (Edinburgh Fringe)
April 25 - May 6, 2023: World Premiere at West Village Theatre, Calgary
credits (1st phase)
Makambe K Simamba: Co-Creator and Performer
Eric Rose: Director and Co-Creator
Meg Farhall: Dramaturg
Kathryn Smith: Design/Technical Collaborator
De-Ann Weekes: Choreographer
Adora Nwofor: Comedian Consultant
Melony Swallows: Production Assistant/Technician
credits (2nd phase)
Makambe K Simamba: Co-Creator and Performer
Eric Rose: Director and Co-Creator
Meg Farhall: Dramaturg
Misha Maseka: Voice Coach/Songwriting Consultant
Photos by Jaime Vedres