How AI is affecting originality in both Drama & Music Festivals

The Drama & Music Festivals have long been platforms for nurturing creativity, cultural expression and performance excellence among learners. In recent years, however, artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to influence how students prepare, compose, rehearse and even judge performances. The impact has been both transformative and controversial.

One of the most noticeable effects is in scriptwriting and verse composition. With access to AI writing tools, students and teachers can now generate poems, choral verses and play scripts within minutes. This has improved efficiency, especially for schools with limited access to experienced writers. AI can help refine language, suggest rhyme schemes and structure dialogue. For busy teacher-directors, it can serve as a brainstorming partner.

However, this convenience has raised concerns about originality. Festivals have traditionally celebrated authentic student creativity and cultural rootedness. When AI-generated scripts dominate, there is a risk of generic content that lacks local flavor, idiomatic richness or lived experience. Adjudicators increasingly look beyond polished language to assess depth, authenticity and contextual relevance.

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AI has also influenced music composition. Learners can experiment with melody generation apps, background instrumentation and vocal harmonization tools. Schools without trained instrumentalists can simulate orchestral accompaniments digitally. This has leveled the playing field for some institutions, particularly those in remote areas. On the other hand, overreliance on digital enhancement can undermine the raw vocal discipline and live musicality that festivals aim to cultivate.

In choreography and drama rehearsals, AI-powered video analysis tools allow directors to review performances critically. Movements, timing and stage blocking can be refined through recorded playback and feedback systems. Some schools even use AI tools to analyze speech clarity and pronunciation, helping performers polish diction before appearing on stage.

Costume design and stage effects have also evolved. AI image generators assist in visualizing stage sets, props and thematic concepts. While this enhances creativity, it may create disparities between well-resourced schools and those without access to advanced tools.

A more subtle effect lies in research. Students preparing cultural dances or thematic plays can use AI to gather background information quickly. This supports historical accuracy and thematic depth. Yet AI sometimes provides inaccurate or shallow interpretations of Kenyan traditions. Without careful verification, performances may misrepresent culture.

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Adjudication discussions have also shifted. Questions now arise: Was this script student-generated? To what extent should AI assistance be allowed? Should guidelines regulate its use? Some educators argue that banning AI is unrealistic; instead, festivals should teach ethical integration—just as calculators are permitted in mathematics but do not replace understanding.

For you, as a teacher and festival facilitator, this shift presents both opportunity and responsibility. AI can be a rehearsal companion, a language refinement tool and a creative spark. But the heart of Kenya’s festivals remains human expression—voice projection, emotional connection, cultural authenticity and stage presence. No algorithm can replicate the lived rhythm of a Turkana chant, the emotional tremor of a solo verse, or the communal energy of a choral performance.

Ultimately, AI has not replaced creativity in Kenya’s music and drama festivals; it has reshaped the preparation process. The challenge moving forward is to ensure that technology enhances—not erodes—the core values of originality, discipline, cultural pride and authentic performance. When properly guided, AI can be a tool. But the stage still belongs to the learner.

By Ashford Kimani

Ashford teaches English and Literature in Gatundu North Sub-county and serves as Dean of Studies