12 Sep 2018

Art performers have been urged to use all available tools and resources to be more creative and to sharpen their skills.

This was said by poetess and motivational speaker, Mmakgosi Tau during the first ever Mmakgosi Live creative workshop in Gaborone recently.

The poetess said performing artists should use available resources that surround them to make a living or express themselves, adding that understanding the given tools was important as it would give them ideas on what to write and/or to perform about.

Tau said one of the tools to be understood was the mind as it worked in wonders and triggered thoughts made by the performer, stressing that without understanding how the mind worked, performers would not be able to perform better.

She also encouraged performers to always consider the environment of their performances and where they lived as it contributed to their arts, adding that it was important to have a suitable environment that would help one to execute their thoughts and perform well.

Furthermore, Tau encouraged newcomers in the performing arts to have self-confidence and to be proud of what they did, saying doing so would show that they were ready to conquer.

She said creative performers should support each other’s work, give credit and respect each other as a way of encouraging the industry’s growth.

Artiste Samantha Ncube said performing was executing creativity and publishing God’s given talent through art, adding that through performing art, creative artists found their true identification.

She said performing was also self-appreciation as artists expressed themselves better and played around with words to express their appreciation to self.

Ncube also said performers should use any available tools or anything that was happening around their environment to create and also encouraged performers to engage their audience when performing to eliminate stage fright.

Jordan Indigo Isaac urged performers to always dress well for their performances to avoid being misjudged as poor performers.

He said artists who were already in the creative industry should create an image for themselves in order for people to recognise their art. “How you dress gives people views about you and you need to dress well to attain good recognition,” said Indigo Isaac.

He also said for performers to avoid disappointment, they should practice their crafts in advance to correct mistakes made during practice.

Moreover, Indigo Isaac urged performers to know their worth and avoid being exploited as they made a living through creative performing, urging them to take advantage of social media networks as a way to market and brand their artistic skills.

“Think constantly about what you put on social media because it has the power to break or mould you,” he said.  ENDS