Theatre practitioners, emerging artists and creative industry stakeholders are expected in Abuja from November 4 to 8 for the fourth edition of the Abuja International Theatre Festival and Awards (ABITFA), with organisers placing renewed emphasis on professional development, cultural exchange and the use of theatre to engage communities.
The five-day festival, organised by Arojah Royal Theatre, is themed “The Art of Becoming” and seeks to explore how creativity, experience, collaboration and storytelling can drive personal growth and transform the performing arts.
Beyond its theatrical presentations, ABITFA 4.0 will feature masterclasses, workshops, roundtable discussions and virtual conversations aimed at equipping practitioners with new skills, encouraging innovation and strengthening connections within the creative sector.
A major highlight of this year’s edition is its focus on the relationship between theatre and community development, particularly the engagement of young citizens through participatory performances and digital platforms.
This will feature prominently in a virtual talk scheduled for Saturday, November 7, titled “Participatory Theatre in the Digital Age: How to Stage Plays That Build Communities and Engage Young Citizens.” The session will bring together practitioners to examine how theatre can remain relevant in a rapidly changing digital environment while providing platforms for civic participation and community interaction.
The festival’s professional development programme will commence on Wednesday, November 4, with a Nigerian National Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) Roundtable on “The Art of Becoming” at the Art and Craft Village, Abuja.
The engagement will provide artists with an opportunity to share professional experiences, discuss career development and reflect on the challenges and opportunities shaping their creative journeys.
On Thursday, November 5, attention will shift to the craft of directing, with a masterclass titled “The Way and the How: The Art and Craft of Directing.” Facilitated by Peter St. Ricks, with an interactive session curated by Dr. Ola Ifatimehin, the session will explore the creative and technical processes involved in translating scripts and artistic ideas into compelling stage productions.
Another workshop, “The Sound of Silence,” facilitated by Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo, is scheduled for Friday, November 6, at the Art and Craft Village.
The festival will equally showcase theatrical productions reflecting different dimensions of human experiences and societal realities.
The performance lineup includes Federico García Lorca’s The Shoemaker’s Wonderful Wife, presented by Jos Repertory Theatre with support from the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria on November 5.
Arojah Royal Theatre will also present LEAH, a production written and directed by Adesewo and inspired by the story of Leah Sharibu. Scheduled for November 6, the play examines faith, courage, identity and resilience.
The company’s production of Iya Arike, also by Adesewo, will follow on November 7.
All three announced stage productions will hold at Whisper Art Haus, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, Abuja.
According to the organisers, ABITFA has continued to provide a platform for theatrical productions, professional conversations and international cultural engagement, with the fourth edition seeking to deepen these opportunities for established and emerging practitioners.
The festival is expected to attract actors, directors, playwrights, producers, designers, arts educators, cultural administrators, students and members of the public interested in the performing arts.
Arojah Royal Theatre has also called on corporate organisations, cultural institutions, businesses and individuals to support the initiative through sponsorships, partnerships, donations and publicity.
With its combination of stage performances and professional engagements, ABITFA 4.0 aims to demonstrate that theatre is not merely an avenue for entertainment but also a platform for learning, social engagement, cultural preservation and the development of new creative possibilities.
Further information and performance registration are available at www.arojahroyaltheatre.com.ng/abitfa.
