Theatre
Theatre and performance provide a powerful platform for storytelling, reflection, advocacy and dialogue.
YDC THEATRE FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME
Udolo Wanga.
Young voices. Bold stories. A generation creating change.
A youth-led creative platform using theatre, music, poetry, performance and dialogue to create spaces where young people can express themselves, engage with issues that matter and shape the conversations that affect their lives.
UDOLO
WANGA
THE STORY
A platform for young voices.
Udolo Wanga is a YDC Theatre initiative built around a simple idea: young people should have creative spaces where they can speak, create, question and lead.
The programme emerged as an innovative art-centred approach to sexual and reproductive health rights advocacy, using theatre, music, poetry, workshops and community engagement to make conversations around sensitive issues accessible and relatable to young people.
From its early community and school activities, Udolo Wanga has grown into a broader creative platform connecting young artists, audiences, educators, communities and theatre practitioners.
WHY UDOLO WANGA
Theatre is not only what happens on stage.
It is a space for dialogue, imagination, participation, learning and change.
OUR CREATIVE APPROACH
Many art forms. One platform.
Udolo Wanga brings different creative disciplines together to create experiences that young people can participate in, relate to and own.
Music
Music gives young people another language through which to communicate experiences, aspirations and social messages.
Poetry
Poetry creates space for personal expression, creative interpretation and conversations around issues affecting young people.
Community
Creative engagement moves beyond conventional venues into communities where conversations can become more immediate and participatory.
Dialogue
Performances become starting points for discussion, reflection and collective understanding.
Youth Leadership
Young people are not simply audiences. They are creators, performers, organisers and voices within the programme.
THE JOURNEY
From creative advocacy to a movement.
Udolo Wanga has continued to evolve, expanding the ways in which young people encounter theatre and participate in creative conversations.
01
THE BEGINNING
Art for SRHR advocacy
Udolo Wanga began as an innovative creative advocacy project using theatre, music and poetry to promote sexual and reproductive health rights.
02
COMMUNITY & YOUTH
Ghetto Youth Engagement
The programme developed youth-focused activities including community theatre, mobile theatre, workshops and the Udolo Wanga Ghetto Youth Festival.
03
SCHOOLS
Creative learning & advocacy
Udolo Wanga expanded its creative engagement into schools, using performing arts to address issues affecting young people.
04
2026
Theatre Festival & Conference
Udolo Wanga evolved into a theatre festival and conference for young audiences and theatre practitioners, creating a platform for artistic exchange, learning and dialogue.
UDOLO WANGA PROGRAMME
More than a festival. A creative ecosystem.
Ghetto Youth Festival
A platform where young creatives can perform, showcase their work, exchange ideas and connect with audiences.
Ghetto Cypher
A youth-centred creative space bringing together music, performance, expression and social commentary.
Udolo Wanga Album
Youth-generated music and compositions carrying creative messages around issues affecting young people.
School Theatre
Performing arts activities that connect students with creative expression and important social conversations.
Community Theatre
Theatre and creative interventions designed to take dialogue into communities.
Mobile Theatre
Taking performance beyond fixed venues and bringing creative engagement closer to audiences.
Workshops
Spaces for artists and young people to develop skills, explore ideas and learn through practice.
Dialogue
Conversations connected to performances, helping audiences reflect, question and participate.
YOUTH AT THE CENTRE
Young people don't just watch the story.
They help create it.
ART & SOCIAL CHANGE
Conversations that matter.
Udolo Wanga has used creative practice to create conversations around sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender, relationships, access to information and other issues affecting young people.
Rather than treating audiences as passive recipients, the programme uses performance as an invitation to think, discuss and participate.
UDOLO WANGA THEATRE FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE
Malawi's young audiences take the stage.
The programme has grown into a major platform for theatre for young audiences, bringing together performances, workshops, conversations and opportunities for exchange.
THEATRE
Performances created for and with
young audiences.
WORKSHOPS
Learning, skills development and
creative exchange.
CONVERSATIONS
Panels and discussions connecting
theatre with social issues.
YOUTH VOICES
A platform for young people to influence
creative and social conversations.
EXCHANGE
Opportunities for Malawian artists to
connect with wider theatre networks.
BEYOND MALAWI
Local stories. Global conversations.
Udolo Wanga is part of a wider movement to strengthen theatre for children and young people in Malawi while creating opportunities for international artistic exchange.
The festival platform has been designed to connect Malawian practitioners with artists, organisations and young audiences beyond Malawi.
01
ZAMBIA
02
SOUTH AFRICA
03
GHANA
04
GERMANY
UDOLO WANGA IN ACTION
Stories made together.
BUILDING TOGETHER
Creative work grows through collaboration.
Udolo Wanga has been developed through collaboration with organisations and stakeholders interested in youth participation, creative expression, theatre and social change.
YOUTH
Young people at the centre
ARTISTS
Creative practitioners & performers
COMMUNITIES
Dialogue & participation
PARTNERS
Collaboration & support
UDOLO WANGA
Our stories. Our voices. Our future.
BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT
Create. Connect. Change.
Are you a young creative, school, theatre practitioner, community organisation, development partner or arts enthusiast? There is a place for you in the Udolo Wanga story.