Mariam Ndagire Theatre Residency 2026 – Bayimba Centre for Visual and Performing Arts

Enhancing Skills and Enabling Financial Inclusion for Young Women in the Creative Economy

Public Call for Applications

Empowering women to manage the future of the Arts in Uganda.

The Mariam Ndagire Film and Performing Arts Centre, in partnership with Bayimba Cultural Foundation, invites applications from young women to participate in the Mariam Ndagire Theatre Residency 2026.

The residency is implemented under the project “Collaboration for Skilling and Innovation in the Theatre Industry”, which aims to strengthen professional theatre practice in Uganda through structured training, mentorship, and collaborative creation.

The programme is designed to empower young women, including refugees and persons with disabilities (PWDs), by providing practical theatre and performing arts training that combines artistic development with technical and vocational skills.

About the Residency

The Mariam Ndagire Theatre Residency is an intensive skills development programme that brings together emerging female theatre practitioners for a period of creative exploration, professional training, and collaborative theatre-making.

The residency integrates Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) approaches with artistic practice to address skills gaps within Uganda’s theatre sector. Through practical workshops, rehearsals, and mentorship, participants will gain hands-on experience in theatre performance and production.

Participants will work closely with experienced theatre practitioners and industry professionals while developing new work rooted in Ugandan stories and lived experiences.

The residency will conclude with a public theatre production, presenting the work created during the programme, internship and participating in the Theatre and performing Arts festival.

Who Can Apply

Applications are open to young women aged 18 – 35 years based in Uganda, including refugees and persons with disabilities, who are interested in developing their skills in theatre and performing arts.

We welcome applications from individuals interested in:

Acting
Playwriting and storytelling
Directing
Sound design
Light design
Costume design
Stage Management

Applicants should demonstrate:

A strong passion for theatre and performing arts
Commitment to professional development
Willingness to collaborate within a creative ensemble
Availability to participate in the full residency programme

What Participants Will Gain

Selected participants will benefit from:

Intensive training in theatre performance and production ∙ Practical skills development through a TVET-informed training approach ∙ Mentorship from experienced theatre practitioners
Opportunities to collaborate with other emerging artists
Exposure to professional rehearsal and production processes ∙ Participation in a final staged theatre production
Certificate of participation upon completion of the programme

PROGRAMME SCHEDULE

The Mariam Ndagire Theatre Residency 2026 will run as a full-time training programme with structured daily sessions and practical rehearsals.

Classes: Monday – Friday
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Start Date: 4th May 2026
Training Venue: Bat Valley Theatre, Kampala

Participants are expected to commit to the full duration of the programme and actively engage in all training sessions, rehearsals, and collaborative activities.