CAROLINE ODONGO - The Coach.

Who is she? If you don't know her yet then don't feel bad about it. The Coach steers every actor into theatre nobility. She's one of the best theatre directors in Kenya today who started her career in theatre & film after she watched her first play at Phoenix theatre years and years ago (as she puts it). She is a long time actor and now a current theatre director. She is currently directing the play 'If I were you' here at Phoenix Players which is set to start on 24th August-8th September. She is working here way into film and says she can't abandon the stage. A loving wife and a mother of three ; two girls and a boy.

Theatre is what defines her existence. She loves what she does and what makes her love it is how she sees artists develop. "I started off as a shy young lady who could hardly stand infront of people.That was the start. When I saw my first play here at Phoenix I could feel a pull.It was like the stage was calling me,"she says. That's how she managed to confront her fears and take to the stage. "Theatre develops people more than other disciples.Well,don't object.That's my view,"she adds.

She is good working with people,has a strong visual sense,is patient and loves helping other thespians grow. "I love teaching,giving and sharing ideas as well as listening." She says. At times people working with her may have a hard time beacuse she is perceived to be extremely serious and at times harsh. "I don't know why they say am harsh but I think it's beacuse I love working under limits,making use of the little time we have here on earth and executing everthing to perfection." Thats coach,as she is referred to by the many who know her.Who wouldn't want a serious and dedicated directed anyway.

Young people who shed off their shyness and walk into the room of confidence inspire her,a lot. Watching young and pure talents grow to be great actors adds a smile to her her face. It gives her the a spirit of moving forward.The late James Falkland was her mentor. She describes him as a man who helped her from her infant theatre days to a fullgrown thespian.

"A lot has to be done." She says,looking at a me with a rather determined look.Carol believes theatre in Kenya needs professionalism,more theatre space for the artist which acceptable and accessible is needed. She wants to see more Kenyan productions,more training for theatre directors,stage manager,set crafters/designers,costume designers and other theatre professionals. She wants other genres of art to be incorporated into theatre i.e. dance, music and mimes only to name a few. The idea of actor cramming of lines and just acting on stage is something she doesn't like at all. She wants actors to uphold dicipline and seriousness. Acting to her is a job, as well as other theatre jobs. She urges all artists to stop taking theatre as a hobby no wonder other people in other professions never take artists as serious people. "Artists should be serious so that other people take them serious." Carol says.

She loves reading (mostly scripts),cooking,writing scripts and is currently working in Lies that Bind as a script editor. Meet Coach,hear what she has to say and tell her your story too. I couldn't write everything about her but she has a mission. Why not a dream?Why only a mission. I ask. "My goals are already set.Furthermore dreams are for people who are asleep.I'm wide awake and got work to do!" And we laugh.

                                            
                                                                                  ###Mulwa Mutinda#####