Benue Varsity to Host C-Set International Conference on Applied Theatre in Africa.

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The stage is set for the international conference on Pan-African Applied Theatre, organised by the Benue State University, Makurdi, in partnership with the Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre (C-SET), University of Regina, Canada, and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, the United Kingdom. The conference, themed “Applied Theatre in Africa: Borders, Boundaries, and New Frontiers,” will take place from February 24 to 26 at Benue State University.

According to C-SET Director and conference Co-convener, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, “Africa has a robust history of social theatre or applied theatre practices that have operated within a variety of sociopolitical contexts.” He noted that these practices go by different names, such as Theatre for Development, Community Theatre, and Theatre for Education.

Dr. Afolabi emphasised that the conference aims to bring together applied theatre scholars, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students to engage and raise questions that would impact and shape the future of the field in the region and globally. “Through this critical gathering, we hope to braid and weave experiences and ideas, push the field’s boundaries, break ideological and physical borders, and offer new frontiers,” he said.

The conference will feature guest speakers, including accomplished drama/theatre professors such as Oga Steve Abah, Chris Odhiambo, Iyorwuese Hagher, Selina Busby, and Mufunanji Magalasi. C-SET’s visiting researcher, Dr. Sola John, will also represent the centre at the conference.

Dr. Afolabi posed critical questions that the conference aims to address, including, “Might now be the time to redefine applied theatre and its role in Africa? What does reprioritising and globally disseminating applied theatre methods and practices in socially engaged settings mean in Africa? What would a new vision of applied theatre look like in Africa?”

The conference promises to be a vibrant and thought-provoking event, offering a unique opportunity for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to engage with the latest developments in applied theatre in Africa.

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