Staff Profiles

*** Ph.D. in Theatre and Performance Studies, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), USA.

*** M.A. in Language Studies, University of Lancaster, UK.

*** PGDE in English pedagogy, University of Botswana.

*** B.A. in the Humanities, University of Botswana.

Prof. Connie Rapoo obtained her Ph.D. in theatre and performance studies from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). She joined the University of Botswana in 1996 as a Staff development Fellow, and has been at UB as a theatre educator and academic. She teaches courses in Acting, Playwriting, Theatre & Tourism, and critical theories of performance. Rapoo has published in international reputable journals, including Critical Arts, Theatre Journal, Arts and Communities, and Social Dynamics. She established the inaugural Carnival Parade and festivities in 2016, generously sponsored by the First National Bank Foundation (Botswana). The initiative seeks to advance the University's strategic priorities of Engagement with the community, improving students' experience, and promoting Botswana arts and culture. Prof. Rapoo is the Vice Chairperson of the nascent National Arts Council of Botswana Board. She has also served in national committees that implement the 2003 and 2005 UNESCO conventions, and is part of the UNESCO Global Facilitators Network for the implementation of the 2003 Convention. An award-winning playwright, (inaugural winner of the Beverley Robinson Award for Playwriting at UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television), Rapoo believes there is a lot of talent in Botswana and thus enjoys mentoring young people on the skills of writing plays and putting Botswana stories and cultural experiences on stage and screen.

*** Acting; 

*** Playwriting;

*** Play production;

*** Theatre and Tourism

*** Critical theories of theatre & performance.

*** Creative industries for the implementation of SDGs; 

*** Intangible Cultural Heritage, heritage performance, cultural heritage tourism in Botswana

*** African theatre and indigenous performance traditions;

*** African youth popular culture;

*** Gender performance;

*** African diaspora;

*** Africa in the transnational imaginary.

*** Critical theories of performance & identity;

*** African theatre;

*** Contemporary theatre practice 

* Rapoo, C. (2021). “Culture Players and Poly-Ticks: Botswana Youth & Popular Culture Practices”. In Youth and Popular Culture in Africa: Media, Music and Politics, pp. 327-351. Paul Ugor, Ed. New York: University of Rochester Press.

* Rapoo, C. (2020). “Mobility and Cultural Consciousness in Ama Ata Aidoo’s Anowa”. Marang Journal of Language and Literature, 33: 190-201.

* Rapoo, C. (2015). “Conjuring Africa in August Wilson’s Plays”. In August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle: Critical Perspectives on the Plays, pp. 175-186. Shannon, S.G. (ed). Jefferson: McFarland & Company Inc. Publishers.

* Rapoo, C., M.L. Coelho, & Z. Sarwar, eds. (2014). New Perspectives in Diasporic Performance. Oxford: Inter-Disciplinary Press.

* Rapoo, C. (2013). "Urbanized Soundtracks: Youth Popular Culture in the African City." Social Dynamics, 39 (2): 368-383.

* Rapoo, C. (2011). "Just Give us the Bones!: Theatres of African Diasporic Returns." Critical Arts: 25 (2): 132-149.