•Featured image: Scene from a previous performance at the festival
The Jos Repertory Theatre is set to host the 16th edition of the Jos International Festival of Theatre, a five-day extravaganza that promises to showcase the best of Nigerian and international theatre. The festival, themed “Creating Theatre in these times,” will take place from May 16th to May 20th at the Alliance Francaise premises in Jos.
According to a joint statement by the Festival Director, Dr. Patrick-Jude Oteh, and the Chairman of USGEAAN, Professor Pam Dung Sha, the festival will feature a diverse lineup of plays from Nigeria, Czech Republic, USA, and Norway, all performed by talented Nigerian actors. The plays will tackle pressing issues such as migration, marriage, politics, revolt and economic inequalities.
This year’s festival will also introduce two new directors, Uvie Giwewhegbe and Mark Musa, who will be writing and directing their own plays. Other highlights include the Czech classic The Protest written by Vaclav Havel, Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, and Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts, adapted into Pidgin English as Spirit.
The festival will also feature artistic meetings and gatherings aimed at resuscitating the Nigerian Association of Theatre Practitioners (NANTAP) in Plateau State.
Two sets of interns from Nigerian universities will benefit from the experience, as part of the festival’s objectives supported by the DeVos Institute for Arts and Non-Profit Management.
The festival has received support from various organisations, including the DeVos Institute of Arts and Non-Profit Management, Oluwanifemi Bolatito Foundation, USGEAAN, Plateau State Chapter, and Maisie Pearl Fashions, among others.
With its rich lineup of performances and artistic gatherings, the 16th Jos International Festival of Theatre promises to be an unforgettable experience for theatre enthusiasts and art lovers alike.