Email: info@yocupa.org
Phone: +260977809376
Website: www.yocupa.org YOCUPA Group
Email: info@yocupa.org
Phone: +260977809376
Website: www.yocupa.org YOCUPA Group
House of War: House of Glass by Namaya
25 July 2025 at Italian Cultural Center 4919 Lubu Rd, Lusaka, Zambia for International premier sponsored by Yocupa, Grace Cares.org.
Renowned Irish-American playwright and multimedia artist Namaya collaborates with Zambian youth advocacy organization Yocupa for the first presentation of the Zambian Youth Theater. Mr. Joseph Ntulisha and Mr. Isaac Kalumba — are the co-directors. The play will premier on 25 July 2025 at 7PM with show presentations at 6PM
In an unprecedented international collaboration, renowned Irish-American playwright Namaya will bring his latest work to Zambian stage through a partnership with YOCUPA. The production, set to premiere at The Italian Cultural Center in Lusaka t.
Namaya, internationally acclaimed for creating peace-building and human rights theatre projects across multiple continents, has crafted this new work specifically in collaboration with young Zambian performers who bring their lived experiences of climate change impacts to the global stage.
“This collaboration with YOCUPA Group and these extraordinary young Zambian artists has been one of the most meaningful projects of my career,” said Namaya. “Their voices, their urgency, their hope – these are the perspectives the world desperately needs to hear. This isn’t just theatre; it’s a call to action from the generation that will inherit the consequences of our choices.”
The production brings together Namaya’s decades of experience in conflict zones and peace-building initiatives with the raw authenticity of Zambian youth who are experiencing climate change impacts firsthand. From devastating droughts affecting agricultural communities to extreme weather events disrupting daily life, these young performers bring personal stories that transform abstract global issues into immediate human experiences.
YOCUPA Group, supported by www.gracecares.org, has provided the platform for this international collaboration, ensuring that Zambian perspectives remain at the heart of the production while benefiting from Namaya’s globally recognized expertise in using theatre for social change.
“These young people aren’t just performing about climate change – they’re living it,” explained Director Isaac Kalumba, “They’re sharing their truth with audiences who need to understand that
climate change isn’t a distant threat. It’s happening now, in Zambia, to real people with names and faces and dreams.”
Following its Lusaka premiere, the production will tour major cities across Zambia, adapting to highlight region-specific climate challenges while maintaining its core message of youth empowerment and urgent action. Each performance will be followed by community discussions designed to translate emotional impact into practical action.
Environmental organizations, youth groups, and community leaders are also partnering to ensure the production catalyzes ongoing climate action initiatives. Each tour stop will include:
“This production demonstrates how international collaboration in the arts can amplify local voices rather than overshadowing them,” said [Cultural Observer/Critic Name]. “Namaya’s reputation opens doors globally, but it’s these young Zambian voices that will walk through those doors carrying their message to the world.”
TICKET INFORMATION AND ACCESSIBILITY
Lusaka Premiere Details:
- Venue: Italian Cultural Center
- 4919 Lubu Road, Lusaka, Zambia
- Dates: 25 July 2025. Preview and House Open at 6 PM
- Capacity: 350 seats.
- Pricing: Suggested 50 and/or by donation
YOCUPA Group is an emerging Zambian theatre collective dedicated to creating socially conscious productions that amplify youth voices and address contemporary challenges facing local communities. Supported by www.gracecares.org, the group focuses on developing local talent while tackling pressing social issues through compelling theatrical experiences.
“This is just the beginning,” said Dr. Beck Banda. “We’re showing that Zambian youth have urgent messages for the world, and when international artists like Namaya help amplify those voices, everyone benefits. The stories get told, the audiences get moved, and hopefully, the world gets changed.”
This production is supported by www.gracecares.org and committed to creating accessible, impactful theatre that addresses the most pressing issues facing today’s youth while fostering international collaboration in the arts.
