Balancing Act: Lizzy Mwagiru’s Journey Through Academia and the Arts

Lizzy Mwagiru, a dedicated university student with a profound passion for the performing arts, seamlessly weaves her academic journey with her creative pursuits. As an actress, scriptwriter, and director, she brings stories to life, crafting narratives that inspire, entertain, and spark reflection. Her journey of balancing education and artistry reflects her commitment to growth and continuous learning in both realms. We had an opportunity for an interview with her, check it out below;

1.How would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?

 1. I am Lizzy Mwagiru, a passionate university student with a deep love for the performing arts. As an actress, scriptwriter, and director, I bring stories to life, exploring narratives that inspire, entertain, and provoke thought. Balancing my studies and creative pursuits has been a journey of growth, and I’m constantly learning and evolving in both my academic and artistic endeavors.

2.What inspired you to pursue a career in acting and scriptwriting, and how did your journey begin?

2.I always loved acting Bible stories in Sunday school and during CRE classes. I would find myself writing down how the scenes will happen and also direct. Anytime an idea or a real life situation happened, I loved writing it down and I would always say this is a very good script to be acted.My journey officially began when I started acting set books in my first year of campus which I did until I got in third year.

3.Can you share a memorable moment or project in your acting or scriptwriting career that holds a special place in your heart?

3. I joined campus on September and in the first week of November we had a play. A guest director was invited in our final dress rehearsals and Alas! it was our highschool drama tutor. By the way I wasn't in the drama club while I was in highschool I went said hi and introduced myself to Him and he was glad to see me.It really holds a special place in my heart because from then I was able to communicate with him and guiding me on my way forward in this acting and scriptwriting journey.

4.As a scriptwriter, how do you approach storytelling to ensure your stories resonate with Kenyan and global audiences?

4.As a scriptwriter, I use Kenyan culture and daily life to create stories people can relate to. I also include common themes like love, hope, and fairness so people from different parts of the world can connect with my stories. This way, my work feels both local and global.

5-What challenges have you faced as a Kenyan actress and scriptwriter, and how have you overcome them?

5. Challenges I face as a Kenyan University actress and scriptwriter  number one is finances: most people when you call them to act they complain most coz we are unable to pay them. This brings another challenge of Characterisation-I'm not able to give a role to an old person because I cannot afford to pay them,therefore we end up improvising but still they cannot deliver the character as well as the script demands them because of their physical appearance.

Another challenge is that there's inadequate quality cameras where we might end up recording using our phones.

6.How do Kenyan cultural and societal themes influence your scripts and roles?

6. Kenyan culture and society plays a big role in my work. I use traditions, values, and real-life issues from Kenya to create meaningful stories and characters. These themes help me show the beauty, challenges, and unique experiences of Kenyan life while making my work relatable to others.

7.What do you consider your most significant achievements in your career so far?

7. One of my most significant achievements was managing a production, where I had the opportunity to oversee the creative process and ensure everything ran smoothly. Additionally, being able to act, write scripts, and direct projects that resonate with audiences has been a fulfilling milestone. These experiences have helped me grow both creatively and professionally.

My industrial attachment was at Kenya Cultural Centre incorporating the Kenya National Theatre. From there I was able to learn a lot and it was the best three months of my life where I got to learn practically about sound, lighting and other acting techniques.

Another thing that I will always see an achievement is when I joined campus on 20th September, the following week I had auditioned in a certain production and got in.

 8.How do you balance the creative demands of scriptwriting with the performance aspect of acting?

8. I create a clear schedule to divide my time between writing and acting. When writing, I focus fully on developing strong stories and characters. When acting, I step into the role and bring those characters to life. Staying organized and passionate about both helps me balance the two.

9.Are there any Kenyan or international actors or writers you look up to or who have influenced your work?

9.Kenyan performing artists I look up to are Tosh Gitonga, Jackie vike and the entire phillit production.International actor and writer I look up to is Tyler Perry.

10.What advice would you give to aspiring actresses and scriptwriters in Kenya who want to follow a similar path?

10.To the upcoming actresses and Scriptwriters I'd like you to be consistent in what you do. Market yourself and your work on social media also know the difference between talent and passion and when you do you will go far. Also be ready to learn from your peers.

11.What projects are you currently working on, and what can your fans expect from you in the near future?

11. I’m currently working on several exciting projects, including a stage play and a short film that explore Kenyan stories with fresh perspectives. Fans can expect powerful performances, relatable characters, and stories that celebrate our culture while addressing important social issues. Stay tuned for more creativity and inspiration!

12.How do you see the future of the Kenyan film and television industry, and what role do you hope to play in its growth?

12. Kenyan film is growing very much as we can see on Netflix and YouTube only that Television is not embracing the idea of bringing upcoming superstars who are doing very well on social media. The role I'd play is for example in local television I would reduce the number of foreign films that are aired and start welcoming Kenyan film makers who are doing well on social media like TikTok, YouTube and bring them on tv and that would be a very great source of entertainment because it is relating with Kenyan content.