Analysis of Elements of Drama in Selected Performances Staged during Kenyatta University’s Culture Week Festival, 2013

Abstract

Culture Week at Kenyatta University is an annual festival that has been on the university’s official calendar since 1992. It is a festival that is open to all genres: recognized, newly created and pseudo. The number of entries it attracts is both vast and varied. The aim of this study was to identify, analyse and describe the elements of drama in sampled cultural activities and examine the impact of socio-cultural context and technological advances on the selected performance items. The study applied Ethno poetics theory in textual analysis to appraise both form and content of performance to the fullest extent possible. Qualitative research design has been adopted, using single case study method. This facilitated a holistic view of performance and isolated the embedded units for analysis. Kenyatta University’s Culture Week attracts large and varied numbers of entries. The study isolated and categorized performance items, namely drama, dance and poetry. Categorization in drama was based on genre. For dance it was based on the dichotomy of contemporary and traditional, and in poetry it was based on language. The purposive sampling method was then used to sample from the three categories to isolate specific items including drama, poetry and dance. Participatory observation during performances provided primary data, with the festival records providing secondary data. Pictures, videos, audio records and checklists were used as tools to capture data for the study. The study found that the elements of drama such as plot, action, dialogue, symbolism, theme and genre were used in the selected staged performances in KUCW Festival. It was also found that both the literary and technical elements of drama came into play. The literary elements of drama displayed in different performances during the KUCW include plot, style, and exposition and costume while the technical elements of drama included: scenery, costumes, props, sound and makeup. The materials used in the performance portrayed different cultures. Costumes and composition of the actors were all informed by different traditions. The study finally found that technological elements such as stage craft, stage machinery, sound and new fabrics influence stage performances during the KUCW. It recommends that in as much as technology is being adopted in the rendition of the stage performances, caution needs to be taken to ensure that the original messages are still passed. It further recommends that another study be done in other settings such as the Bomas of Kenya to assess the current dynamics in stage performances.