“Acting is about bringing the script to life.” Those are the passionate words of Derrick Amunga, as he reminisces about the time he spent doing research for his famous role as “Master Sugu”.

Derrick’s name is etched into the e-list of trailblazers of Kenyan theatre and TV, mainly due to his role as a street urchin in the popular nineties television series, Tausi. Originally a modest role, Derrick’s portrayal wound up becoming the program’s mainstay when the show became a phenomenon. Success led to an elaborate tour beyond Kenya’s borders.

To perfect his role as Master Sugu, Derrick took to the streets, interacting with the local urchins. He also engaged in folksy conversation to grasp the tone of their everyday language. And, although he vigorously studies for his roles “he is a guy who does not rehearse life”, as Derrick declares, in a way only a true thespian can, of Master Sugu. Growing up he had a passion for the performing arts. Derrick carefully studied TV dramas and films to try and understand how such broadcasts were made. Eventually the “free-spirited world of theatre” caught his attention, and the aspiring actor created, together with his old friend Ronald Muhanji, his first play in high school called Golden Handshake.

Since then, Derrick has written plays for Kenya Polytechnic , such as Julie, Julie and Julie. which was voted the bestscripted comedy in the 2012 National Drama Festivals. Today, the playwright has been featured in over 200 plays as an actor, his favorites being Will You Still Love Me In The Morning?, No Dinner for Sinners and Casanova. All plays in which Derrick has been cast as a character are laced with intrigue. He explains, “I am captivated when things are going wrong, and it is up to the character to think on the spot and rescue the situation. It keeps the audience on their toes.”

Although his heart lies in the theatre, Derrick is sad that the art form still struggles to really be accepted in today’s Kenya. “The pioneers gave it a passive image as an ‘after-work activity’. Theatre has been downplayed although it continues to absorb more people each year.” Derrick Amunga is currently with the theatre group Festival of Creative Arts, and is set for a TV comeback soon.