BEETAUniversal Art Foundation (BUAF) is partnering with the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) for this year’s edition of Dramatised Storytelling Competition, which holds in Lagos and Abuja, respectively. The maiden edition of the competition, organised by the NTN was held, last year, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.
Disclosing this in her Lagos office, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, the founder of BUAF said her organisation is partnering with NTN for a wider reach, adding that the programme aims at sustaining the theatre culture in the country, aside from promoting creativity among the youths.
She said, “we want to catch these children young, inculcate theatre culture in them, so that when they are older they would have clearer picture of what it is and sustain the culture.
“This will also help them to be disciplined because it takes a level of discipline to go through rehearsals, interpret characters on stage and, even, partake in the competition. So, the competition will make them build self-confidence, be able to express themselves, speak in public and improve their reading culture.”
Using the competition as a leverage to groom and showcase young talents, Graham-Douglas noted that it is good for every child to have the experience of the stage as among other gains, it may help make them global ambassadors of the arts, stars and icons for others emulate.
The producer and director of many stage plays informed that over 70 schools have already registered for both the primary and secondary categories and that the competition is going to hold at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, and in Abuja.
“The preliminaries for the Abuja zone of the competition will hold from May 20 to 24 at the Merit House, Abuja for schools in and around Abuja, and the National Theatre, for schools in and around Lagos; while the finals holds on May 31 and June 5 at the Women Development Centre, Abuja and the National Theatre, Lagos respectively. We have schools from neighbouring states including Onitsha in Anambra State, so, it is a national competition; and it is open to all schools across Nigeria.”
With theme, Nigeria’s 100 Years of Existence: The Story So Far, the theatre advocate, said, “apart from using the programme to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day, its objective is very much in line with what BUF is doing to rejuvenate theatre and to get young people to appreciate our arts and culture.”
Aside from the dramatization of stories, the competition includes other theatrics such as dance and poetry.
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