2nd Abuja International Theatre Festival and Awards unveils programme
By Editor
IN 2023, the Abuja International Theatre Festival and Awards (ABITFA) made an impactful debut with international guest performances from Jamaica, Ukraine, and Romania, alongside five powerful Nigerian showcases from Jos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja. The festival also featured enriching workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions centred around the theme ‘Performing Arts, Peacebuilding, and the Society’.
Building on this success, the second edition of ABITFA is set to take place from November 3-9, 2024 in the heart of Abuja. The festival aims to become the premier theatrical showcase in Abuja and Nigeria, bringing international theatre to Nigeria while promoting Nigerian theatre on the global stage.
The theme for ABITFA 2024, ‘The Art of Humanity’, is designed to explore the profound intersections between the stage and the human experience. Through this theme, the festival will immerse participants and audiences in performances that reflect the shared responsibilities, challenges, and beauty of the human spirit.
The keynote speaker for ABITFA 2024 is Senator Shehu Sani—playwright, politician, and civil rights activist—will deliver the keynote address on the theme during the festival’s opening ceremony on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 10:00am at the Brazilian Embassy Theatre.
The festival will be staged across multiple venues in Abuja that include the Brazilian Embassy Theatre, Korean Cultural Centre, NCAC’s Art and Craft Village, British Council, FCT Art Pavilion, Republic of Ireland Embassy and the Institut Français (IF).
ABITFA 2024 will feature two categories of performances: Nigerian showcases and international guest performances. These performances include How Far? by Light and Day (France), Joy to the City (Spain), The Re-Education of Gina Obi (Nigeria), Vengeful Merriment (Nigeria), Exchange (Nigeria/Netherlands), ‘Soiree: An Evening of Storytelling’ and In Saint Mulumba (Nigeria).
A series of capacity-building workshops and masterclasses will be available for participants to hone their skills in theatre practice. Registration is currently open for the following for workshops and masterclasses. They include ‘Refocus Acting Method’ facilitated by Jasper De Bruijn (3 days), ‘Performance Photography’ workshop by Pope Egbuche (2 days), ‘Street Theatre’ workshop by Adrian Scharvstein (3 days), ‘Playwriting Masterclass’ by Bisi Adigun (1 day) and ‘Storytelling Masterclass’ by Aduke Gomez (1 day).
Call for participation is already open for interested participants to register through the link: https://tinyurl.com/ABITFA2024Workshops.
In quest for partnerships and collaborations, ABITFA team, led by founder and festival director, Mr. Omo’ba Jerry Adesewo (2nd from left), visits the Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mr. Obi Asika (middle); Abdulkadir Zaguru (2nd right); Folashade Olafioye (right) and Jumoke Oduwole (left)
Registration fee applies before specific dates, times, and venues will be communicated to registered participants. Meanwhile, partner institutions and organizations for ABITFA 2024 include Lt. Gen. TY Buratai, Embassy of Brazil in Nigeria, Embassy of Spain, Embassy of the Republic of Ireland, Embassy of France & Institut Français, National Council for Arts and Culture, National Film and Video Censors Board, National Gallery of Art, British Council, Korean Cultural Centre, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and OurNigeria.News, among others.
As part of the festival, ABITFA will honor distinguished individuals and organizations with awards that recognize their outstanding contributions to the arts in Nigeria. The 2024 award nominees include the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for ABITFA/TY Buratai Award for Cultural Leadership, President, Duke of Shomolu Foundation, Mr. Edgar Joseph for ABITFA Theatrepreneur Award, Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ekiti State, Prof. Bakare Ojo Rasaki for ABITFA Impact Award, Thespian Family Theatre Productions, Mrs. Ayo Jaiyesinmi for ABITFA SDG Impact Award and DVC, University of Africa, Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma for ABITFA Impact Award. Others are Playwright and politician, Hon. Asiwaju Jerry Alagbaoso for ABITFA Impact Award, Rivers of Water Productions, Mr. Patrick Omo Otoro for ABITFA Special Recognition Award, Department of Theatre, ABU Zaria, Prof. Rasheedat Liman for ABITFA Special Recognition Award, Department of Theatre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Dr. Greg Mbajiorgu for ABITFA Special Recognition Award and Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of TheArtHubNg (www.thearthubng.com), Mr. Anote Ajeluorou for ABITFA Media & Culture Journalism Award.
For more information and enquiries, contact the festival team: abitfa@arojahtheatre.com and social media handles.