Zimbabwe’s vibrant theatre scene will receive a compelling infusion of African-American drama when Almasi Collaborative Arts stages a reading of August Wilson’s acclaimed play Jitney on 3 May 2025 at the Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre.
Directed by the talented Charmaine Mujeri, the production assembles a dynamic mix of seasoned Almasi performers and rising stars, including Michael Kudakwashe, Tanatswa Kumirai, Buhlebenkosi Chinhara, Musawenkosi Saruro, Boniface Chimedza, Takunda Chiposi, Tinevimbo Chimbetete, AneUnhu Gwatidzo, Ngonidzashe Chikowore, and Min’enhle Mguni. This collective is set to breathe fresh Zimbabwean life into Wilson’s poignant script, which chronicles the hopes, tensions, and resilience of a group of Black men in 1970s Pittsburgh.
For Mujeri, the play’s message resonates deeply. “‘Jitney’ offers a powerful and timeless lens through which we can examine the multifaceted struggles of Black men — their search for identity and their determination to build lives within a system that often works against them,” she remarked, underlining the play’s enduring relevance both in America and Africa.
True to Almasi’s innovative approach, the production will not be a simple reading but the culmination of an intensive two-day dramaturgical workshop. Led by Almasi’s programmes director, Gideon Jeph Wabvuta, the workshop will bring together the cast, director, and a team of Almasi-trained directors, playwrights, and actors to unpack the play’s themes and sharpen its delivery. “It’s a joy to dive back into an August Wilson play; there is a beauty to his language that feels so familiar,” Wabvuta shared. “I’m excited for the audience to watch this play because I know they will recognize these characters.”
Set in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Jitney tells the story of unlicensed taxi drivers — men fighting for survival and dignity against the backdrop of urban redevelopment and social upheaval. The plot takes a personal turn when company owner Jim Becker’s estranged son returns from prison, adding a layer of familial conflict to the broader struggle for economic survival.
Almasi Collaborative Arts, co-founded by celebrated Zimbabwean-American actress and playwright Danai Gurira, remains steadfast in its mission to promote dramatic literacy and nurture local talent. Based in Harare, the organisation has become a beacon for artists seeking education, access, and opportunity, while bringing African narratives to the world stage.
The upcoming staged reading forms part of Almasi’s broader dramatic literacy series, an initiative designed to deepen Zimbabwean engagement with global theatre while sharpening the craft of local performers. For theatre lovers in Harare, Jitney promises an evening of rich storytelling and cultural exchange, where August Wilson’s Pittsburgh finds echoes on the streets of Zimbabwe’s capital.
