WTD 2026: ‘Erelu Kuti’, others unite theatre practitioners in quest for visibility, others
By Editor
THE Guild of Theatre Directors (GTD), in collaboration with Freedom Park Lagos, the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), and the Association of Music Theatre Artists (AMTA) will host a landmark gathering in celebration of World Theatre Day 2026, marking a renewed phase of visibility, leadership, and institutional engagement for theatre practice in Nigeria. The event will serve as the official platform for the guild to unveil its programmes and strategic direction for the year, while reinforcing its presence as a critical voice within Nigeria’s creative ecosystem. The forum will serve to reaffirm the guild’s commitment to the advancement of theatre arts nationwide.
Designed as both a celebration and a professional convergence, the World Theatre Day gathering will feature a rich lineup of artistic and intellectual engagements, including play readings, theatrical performances from Guild of Theatre Drummers, Guild of Nigerian Dancers, Association of Musical Artists, amongst other performances. The will also be a symposium to engage critical conversations around theatre practice in Nigeria, an Acting Workshop by OlaRotimi Fakunle (Gang of Lagos), film screenings featuring Lagos Fringe Festival Award-winning short films and cultural networking opportunities.
In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of Guild of Theatre Directors (GTD), Mr. Babatunde Ojobaro, the celebration represents more than a commemorative event, “as it signals a deliberate step toward strengthening institutional collaboration among theatre professionals and expanding the role of directing practice in shaping Nigeria’s performance culture. By bringing together directors, actors, scholars, filmmakers, cultural institutions, policymakers, students, and theatre enthusiasts in one shared creative space, the guild continues to position itself as a strategic driver of professional theatre development in Nigeria.
“The Guild of Theatre Directors therefore invites theatre practitioners, stakeholders in the creative industries, members of the media, and the general public to participate in this important gathering as the theatre community marks World Theatre Day and collectively charts new directions for the sector.”
At 11.30am, the play Ordeal will be performed to an audience of over 300 school children, at 1.30pm, there will be literary appreciation featuring ‘The Directors’ handbook (Symposium/Masterclass) and at 2.30pm, Mr. Fakunle will conduct Actor’s Workshop. Mr. KelvinMary Ndukwe will conduct Directors Workshop at 3.15pm while Erelu Kuti will be performed at Glover Memorial Hall. There will be film screening from 4.00pm at Freedom Park and performances invloving AMTA, GOND, GOTHAD and GTD. A live band and DJ will round off the day with an after-party celebration.
OlaRotimi Fakunle
