NYU Abu Dhabi taught Aganza Kisaka how to shine on stage, and now she’s helping others do the same. As the co-founder, director, and acting coach of a new theater school in Kampala, Aganza is passing on everything she learned in the theater program to help fellow actors step into the limelight.
How did NYUAD influence your career path?
When I joined NYUAD, the dean of arts guided me toward theater, and I’m so thankful. She interviewed me when I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was thinking about psychology or counseling — something related to helping people. I had been dancing and writing poetry, and she said, "You seem multi-talented. Why don’t you try theater? You can dance, sing, and act, exploring all these talents." I’m glad she put me on that path because it had been in my heart. I didn’t know it then, but it was exactly what I wanted to do.
Tell us about your entrepreneurial venture.
I started a theater school called Yenze Theatre Conservatoire. Yenze was the title of my Capstone project at NYU Abu Dhabi. Yenze means "it’s me," which refers to both the actor and the audience, and our stories. We offer acting, voice, and movement classes using techniques I learned at NYUAD.
Can you share one of your proudest achievements?
A big career highlight has been our first mega performance, She Loves Me, which was ground-breaking and history-making for Kampala. We got the rights from a Broadway musical and underwent a six-month production and rehearsal process with 20 cast members. We ran 12 shows and always had standing ovations. The dancing, singing, and costumes were top-notch. The entire production was a testament to what I had learned at NYUAD.
Home Region: Uganda
Current: Founder, Yenze Theatre Conservatoire
President, International Theatre Institute - Uganda Chapter
Location: Uganda
Major: NYU Abu Dhabi Class of 2015
What makes your NYUAD education stand out?
I was impressed with the discipline required to be an actor at NYUAD, which came from our productions. I remember the acting class door locking at 8am promptly. You could run down the hallway screaming, "Leave it open!" but the door would shut. That’s the level of discipline an artist needs, and I loved it. I fit into it very quickly, and it left an impression.
Another memorable experience was a dance class with an instructor from Haiti. I remember having an ego because I thought, "I can do this in my sleep." We danced and danced and danced, and I got a B. I was furious. The instructor later told me, "You’re afraid to shine. You did everything right, but you stayed in the back. You did everything right in the back."
That was a culture shock and a cultural breakthrough for me. As Ugandans, showing pride is against our culture, but I learned that when it’s showtime, you go all out. Those were transformational experiences for me. Now, I’ve learned how to balance culture and show business. When you enter the audition room, you go for it. It has helped me so much.
How has NYUAD stuck with you these last 10 years?
NYUAD’s tools have never run dry for me. As a director and acting coach, I adopted the lesson styles and theater games. We do practicals constantly — less writing, more doing.
This marks the beginning of our fourth year at Yenze. We have 21 alumni in total and hope to expand. Tuition is free this year due to the economic challenges for artists here in Uganda and as a way to express thanks for my scholarship education at NYUAD.
The journey continues.