Hope Azeda is the founder, artistic director and choreographer of Mashirika Creative and Performing Arts, a local theatre company. She was a casting director for the films Sometimes in April, Shake Hands with the Devil, Shooting Dog and white Light. She is currently the president of ARTEJ/ASSITEJ Rwanda (International Association of Theaters for Children and Young People). She spoke to Moses Opobo about her love for theatre and why her name is unique…Who is Hope Azeda? I am a human being who chose to do art as my career. I am a full-time theater practitioner and my specifics are scriptwriting and directing. But again I find myself casting for films and when time allows I develop concepts for events.What does the name Azeda mean? My father made up my name. He thought I was going to be his tenth and last born, so he named me Z like the last letter in the alphabet. Fortunately he got an eleventh born and he had to change my name. He said, “I started and now I have to end”, so he named me AZ. So to make it appear like a name it was then spelt the way it sounded.What don’t people know about you? That I am a Christian. If you were appointed president of Rwanda for a day, what would you do first?I would only deliver a presidential speech.What would you change about the institution of marriage if you had to? I’m no expert on this subject, but I think the game is best known by its players.You are a beautiful woman. Do you ever feel guilty about it? Thanks for the compliment. I believe beauty is a total package.Do you ever get stalked? If I’ve ever had a stalker, I didn’t notice it.What is that one thing or person that changed your life forever? Creating art against the background of genocide has made me a better person. What movies have you acted in, and what impact did the experience have on you? I actually spend more time behind cameras, but I featured in Sometimes in April by HBO as Bridget .The experience was an eye-opener to the true art of professionalism
