Given the fact that 2011 was a phenomenal year, one must expect not just a build-up in events but innovative theatre activities driven by the very motivational response and support given to new approaches towards making theatre productions reach more people and contribute to socio-economic and cultural development.

In the previous segments on the review of 2011, issues to do with factors that consolidate the development of a viable theatre industry in Zimbabwe were highlighted.

However, not enough discussion on what should be done to ensure the growth of a viable theatre industry was undertaken in 2011.

It seems therefore that the starting point in discussing what is expected of the 2012 theatre season should begin with highlighting what may need to be done to grow a vibrant and viable theatre industry in Zimbabwe.

One of the most significant demonstrations of the fact that Zimbabweans can patronise theatre if they are made aware of it and where it is taking place was the ZBC's Power FM Radio Christmas pantomime "The Birth of Christ".

The pantomime that was presented at the Jameson Hotel was promoted by a publicity blitz on the same radio station.

That kind of publicity has never been given to theatre activities taking place throughout the country by the national broadcaster.

If theatre productions are part of the creative industry that generates employment and income generation, the Government is promoting, what stops a national broadcaster from pursuing that Government policy by making the nation aware of the broad spectrum of theatre activity and other cultural enterprises taking place throughout the country?

Many people who patronised the rich and diverse theatre programmes at Theatre in the Park blamed poor promotion of theatre in the country for the poor audience and the poor income generated from full-time employment in theatre in Zimbabwe.

Theatre companies and theatre houses were urged to be innovative in the publicity campaigns. There were theatre patrons who were convinced that our media had not yet found the touch of covering theatre with the additional goal of getting people to go to the theatre.

Other theatre patrons suggested that theatre houses and production companies should invest in buying advertising space in both print and electric media to promote their productions.

Some patrons suggested that theatre companies with productions should approach corporations and entice them to book shows for their employees and management as a sort corporate responsibility.

One hopes that theatre companies and producers to will this year try all these theatre promotion ideas.

There were members of the public who claimed that to charge an entrance fee of US$10 for a theatre ticket was too much considering the prevailing economy situation in the country.

However, there were very good theatre shows that charged US$5 entrance fees but which struggled to attract audiences. Then there were those who claimed that downtown venues of theatre were too far away from the people and that the non-availability of affordable transport after late evening entertainment shows were responsible for discouraging people from the high- density suburbs from patronising these theatre venues.

Such people have advocated for theatre to be taken to the community and making sure that community halls are made available for theatre.

It was good to hear from members of the Mayor of Harare's arts and culture advisory team that this issue will be raised with the mayor.

This could mean that 2012 will see theatre performances featuring in community halls in high-density townships, as was the case in the 80s.

During that period community halls hiring fees were heavily subsidised by the city council so that entrance fees to theatre shows could be lowly priced.

The 2012 theatre season calendar already shows tremendous promise. Indications have already been made of theatre productions, workshops, festivals, performance tours and theatre collaborations that will dominate 2012.

The Zimbabwe Theatre Association (Zita) has unveiled a very ambitious theatre project called Zimbabwe Classics Project in which five plays selected from the list of old Zimbabwean plays will be commissioned for production by Zita's four clusters.

The five classics will be ready for presentation at the association's theatre performances to commemorate the World Theatre Day on March 27.

Each of the four clusters will be expected to host five performances of the classics. It is expected that in the programmes for the commemoration of the World Theatre Day about 5 000 people will attend these shows.

Zita has also scheduled several theatre skills workshops in its four clusters.The workshops are expected to deal with scripting, acting, directing, lights and sounds design, arts management and theatre journalism.

The association will launch on the World Theatre Day the Zimbabwe Theatre Hall of Fame.Clusters are already submitting names of thespians will be inducted in the Hall of Fame.

Each Zita cluster is expected to work with local authorities in identifying space which used to be used as theatre venues but which have been abandoned for one reason and another.

This process of restoration and reclaiming of theatre spaces is expected to establish at least two new theatre spaces in each cluster.

In its 2012 Theatre Plans, Savanna Trust has scheduled a very extensive performance tour of Christopher Mlalazi's "Fes'bhuku" to Bulawayo, Gwanda, Mutare and Karoi during the first of the year.The trust plans to take "Fes'bhuku" to all the local arts festival.

Savanna Trust's "No Loans for Us without Us" will also be taken on performance tour to Lalapanzi, Kadoma, Gwanda, Karoi and Mutare. These are districts where Savanna runs community theatre programmes. The trust will also mount a one-month playmaking and performance course for 10 young actors.

This project is a follow-up to a similar course, which was held in 2010 in collaboration with the University of Zimbabwe where 14 youths were awarded with certificates in playmaking and performance.

A more comprehensive detail of the 2012 theatre plans by theatre production houses, associations, and groups will be dealt with the next week's column.