Challenges in teaching and learning in practical theatre courses during the COVID-19 lockdown at Lupane State University

Abstract

This research discusses the challenges faced by Theatre Arts lecturers and students at Lupane State University (LSU) during the COVID-19 induced lockdown which forced the university to suspend face to face classes. On the 25th of March 2020, Lupane State University, like all other Zimbabwean universities, was forced to close abruptly in response to the government declared total lockdown restrictive measures. The abrupt nurture of closing created challenges for lecturers and students, chief among them lack of preparedness to transition to online learning, unavailability of online teaching and learning material as well as lack of connectivity. Yet, students taking theatre courses needed to continue learning. We discuss the deployment of blended learning and its impact on the teaching and learning of practical theatre courses at LSU. We also examine how students (performers and audience) struggled to adapt to the new normal of performing to a smaller audience of invited guests and social distancing during performances against an interactive and social performance tradition.