The first phase of the Zambian Youth Theatre began with the successful development of a team of 21 youth actors and a directorial team/teacher with the premier of House of War: House of Glass.
On July 25, 2025, the lights rose on a packed auditorium at the Zambian-Italian Cultural Centre in Lusaka. The occasion was the international premiere of House of War: House of Glass, a youth-led play written by Irish-American playwright and peacebuilder Namaya and brought to life by the Zambian Youth Theatre in collaboration with GRACE Cares.
The audience included dignitaries, students, activists, and community members. Most notably, Hon. Fumba Chama (a rapper known as Pilato), Zambia’s Permanent Secretary of Arts, sat in the front row. After the performance, he rose to declare: “I loved this show and want to give this the full support of the Ministry.” Zambian Youth Theatre also has the endorsement of the National Arts Council.
This was more than a premiere, it was the birth of a movement.
This play isn’t just entertainment, it’s a testimony. And it landed with seismic force.
Local press agreed. The Rainbow News Zambia’s Helen Bwalya wrote: “House of War: House of Glass shatters conventions. It is a seismic event that not only showcases artistic brilliance but also ignites critical dialogue, empowers marginalized voices, and shapes the very future of Zambia.”
The play itself confronts the intertwined crises of climate breakdown and fragile peace through the voices of youth demanding to be heard. Speaking out to elders about their safety from gender-based violence and a better future through music, dance, and ensemble storytelling, the cast give human form to issues that statistics alone cannot capture:
- Crops failing and rivers running dry.
- Communities poisoned by mining’s toxic legacy in Kabwe.
- Forests stripped bare for charcoal.
- Floods and storms uprooting entire villages.
Watch the trailer that showcases the play and the passion of these young people.