The inaugural TheatreMania Africa Summit (TAS) took place on Friday, November 29, 2024, at Shodex Gardens in Lagos. The event, which serves as a prelude to the 2025 TheatreMania Africa Festival (TAF) and Awards, brought together key stakeholders from the theatre and creative industries to discuss the present and future of African theatre production.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Alayande Stephen, CEO and co-founder of TheatreMania Africa Festival, emphasized that the summit marks the beginning of preparations for the 2025 festival, which will be hosted in Nigeria for the next three years. He highlighted the theme of the summit, “The Future of Theatre: Embracing Innovation and Technology in Theatre Production,” as a pivotal moment for the African theatre landscape. “This is not just a theme, but a call to action. We, as custodians of African culture, must embrace the latest innovations to revitalize our heritage and push our art forward,” he said.
Alayande elaborated on the role of technology in transforming theatre, mentioning digital projections, augmented and virtual reality, 3D sound, and even robotics as tools that have revolutionized stage experiences. “Technology is no longer just a tool—it’s a catalyst for extraordinary possibilities,” he noted.
The summit is set to evolve into the TheatreMania Africa Festival in 2025, which will feature a wide range of activities, including stage presentations with theatre troupes from across Africa, arts and craft exhibitions, a street theatre parade, a “Walk for Peace,” a command performance, and a Pan-African award for theatre practitioners. Alayande also called on brands to partner with TheatreMania Africa, highlighting the exposure and visibility that sponsors, such as Platos Health, QUIDBOT, and Nkan Media, gained during the summit.
Veteran Nollywood actor Dr. Akin Lewis, with over 51 years of experience in theatre and film, spoke passionately about the importance of innovation. He stressed that without innovation, theatre would not have survived. “Theatre has always been about reinvention, and technology is now a driving force behind that,” he said, pointing out that while the rest of the world has advanced in adopting new technologies, Nigeria must catch up.
Actor Norbert Young also shared his excitement about the summit, emphasizing the importance of theatre as a platform for performance and storytelling. He recalled that the word “theatre” originates from the Greek “Theatron,” meaning “seeing place,” highlighting that technology will continue to evolve and shape theatrical experiences.
Barrister Olu Adenodi, Managing Partner of Olu Adenodi & Partners and the official legal partner of TheatreMania Africa, praised the festival’s commitment to fostering a passion for theatre and creative arts. He noted that TheatreMania offers a unique community for theatre enthusiasts, promoting engagement, cultural exchange, and mental well-being through the arts.
Barrister Ugo Obiayo, Chairman of the Guild of Nigerian Dance Practitioners, Lagos State Chapter, represented by Mr. Lekan Akinruli, expressed optimism that the summit would foster collaboration and provide solutions to the challenges facing theatre production in Nigeria and Africa. He hoped that the discussions and panel sessions would generate valuable insights that could set the standard for exceptional theatre practices in the region.
The 2024 TheatreMania Africa Summit successfully brought together diverse voices from across the creative industry, all united in the belief that technology and innovation will be the driving forces for the future of African theatre.
