Merundoi needs Street theatre actors

The popular radio serial drama, Merundoi, that teaches ‘choice and change’ and focuses on ‘Life’s realities’ is currently auditioning for actors for its Street theatre programme at its head office.

Persons are trained on a yearly basis to do deliver forum theatre: as a form of interactive theatre where trained actors deliver messages in drama and interact directly with the audience.

Merundoi senior Reinforcement Officer, Durwin Humphrey, said the street theatre company does nationwide tours, delivering various messages. However while Merundo the radio serial drama focuses mainly on HIV/Aids related messages the street theatre focuses on other social and health related issues.

The audition is a prelude to the third workshop that starts from next Tuesday and will conclude on January 11. Humphrey said the on going auditions are open to persons age 18-40 and will conclude on Monday. “We are looking for twenty who will become a permanent part of the Merundoi Street Theatre Company. Once selected and trained they will be travel opportunities across Guyana”.

Explaining why the need for street theatre company Humphrey said based on research the Merundoi NGO has found that street theatre is a unique vehicle for delivering behaviour change intervention.

He added that the forum theatre allows persons to examine their personal issues that might be social or health related through dramatisation of actors who offer possible solutions without that person actually having to share their story. It’s another form of therapy that serves to facilitate the development of life skills and choices.

Since training began in November 2008 to date 45 persons have been trained in street theatre and they are actively involved in detaining Guyanese communities.

“The effort to train is aimed at expanding the company to offer more opportunities to tackle the many social and health related issues that are affecting the Guyanese populace,” Humphrey said.

The contagious Merundoi has become a talking point that can be heard on radios, in offices and even on the street is focussed on the environment, social and other health issues.

Merundoi, with popular stage personality, Margaret Lawrence, has completed more than 300 episodes and has been on the air since October 16, 2006.

Just over a year ago Merundoi evolved from being a project into being a registered NGO.

Interested persons can contact the Merundoi office on telephone: 227-4989 or 227-6937 and ask for Durwin."

Story by (Mondale Smith)

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