Post a commendable maiden debut last year, Abuja International Theatre Festival and Awards has returned for its biggest season yet.
Scheduled to kickoff November 3 – 8, ABITFA 2024 will explore the intersections between theatre and the human experience, as well as the shared relationships and challenges that make up the human spirit.
This it will do via the keynote address on the festival theme by prolific author, and former senate member, Shehu Sani, and five major local and international performances including – ‘The Re-Education of Gina Obi’ and ‘Vengeful Merriment’ (Nigeria), ‘How Far? By Light and Day’ (France), ‘Joy to the City’ (Spain), ‘Exchange’ (Netherlands/Nigeria), and ‘Soiree: An Evening of Storytelling’.
These performances will be spread across several venues in the FCT, such as Brazilian Embassy Amphitheatre, Korean Culture Center Nigeria (KCCN), National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC’s) Arts and Crafts Village, the British Council, FCT Exhibition Pavilion, Republic of Ireland Embassy, and Institut Francais.
Professional and creatively-inclined attendees can participate more actively in the festival through workshops and masterclasses facilitated by both local and international professionals. There is the ‘Refocus Acting Method’ by actor Jasper de Brujin; ‘Performance Photography Workshop’ by photographer Pope Egbuche; Adrian Scharvstein’s ‘Street Theatre Workshop’, Bisi Adigun’s ‘Playwriting Masterclass’ and ‘Storytelling Masterclass’ facilitated by Aduke Gomez.
Of course, there will be no ABITFA without the awards event, which rewards individuals across all walks of life whose contributions have in some way enhanced the theatre and theatre-going experience. Awardees this year include: Anote Ajeluorou for the ABITFA Pen Pal Award; Professor Barclays Ayakoroma and Playwright, Hon Jerry Alagbaoso, and Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Ekiti State, Professor Ojo Rasaki Bakare for the ABITFA Impact Awards; and Ayo Jaiyesinmi of Thespian Family Theatre Production for the ABITFA SDG Award.
Up for the ABITFA Special Recognition Awards are CEO, Rivers of Water (ROW) Productions, Patrick Otoro; Professor Rasheedat Liman of the Department of Theatre, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria; and Associate Professor, Department of Theatre, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Greg Mbajiorgu.
Finally, there are ABITFA/TY Buratai Awards for Cultural Leadership and the ABITFA Theatrepreneur Award, which goes to His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, and President, Duke of Shomolu Foundation, Edgar Joseph respectively.
Last year, ABITFA had a commendable start with three international performances from Jamaica, Romania and Ukraine, and five local theatric productions from Port Harcourt, Jos and Abuja. While the number of performances may have reduced, the increased quality of planning, programming and venues promises an improved and enriching experience for participants.
