A three (3) day Enina Theatre Festival, with the theme; “Performing Diversity, Staging Inclusiveness” is set to hold from Friday, 25th August to Sunday, 27th August 2023 at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Benin City, Edo State, this inaugural festival is set to revolutionize the local theatre landscape.
The event will be hosted by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State with EDSOGPADEC, Azura-Edo, Olivia table waters, SuperFm 88.1FM Benin and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Benin as partners and supported by the German government and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)-SKYE programme.
The Enina Theatre Festival will showcase a dazzling array of performances, workshops, and cultural experiences. As Benin City transforms into a vibrant hub of theatrical brilliance, attendees will be immersed in the magic of creative expression, exploring diversity and cultural exchange.
One of the highlights leading up to the festival was the “Heartbeat Theatre Boot Camp,” a 21-day fully residential program where 100 lucky participants received intensive training in various aspects of theatre. From costume design to lighting techniques, stage construction to directing secrets, these talented individuals are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver incredible performances at the upcoming Enina Theatre Festival.
ENINAFEST will host captivating performances such as Azagidi, mama Bendel, yet another raft, Joromi, The Struggle and Waterside, amongst others with exciting cash prizes up to 2 million naira to be won by participants across various categories sponsored by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki for best monologue, best dance, best costume design and viewer’s choice prize.
Mrs. Violet Obiokoro, Managing Director, EdoJobs, noted that the festival is being organized to promote creative skills development, especially in the area of theatre and would create over 1,000 short-term job opportunities for youths in the state.
She further emphasized the need to host this maiden ENINA theatre festiva, which would showcase the rich cultural heritage of Edo State through the lens of culture, arts, tourism and talents to the creative economy and open more opportunities to create jobs for youths in the state.
According to Violet, the festival, which will take place at the state’s Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, aims to draw theatre groups, companies, and organizations from the state and throughout Nigeria to showcase outstanding performances at the maiden ENINA theatre festival.
The ENINA theatre festival is set to offer a multitude of experiences beyond extraordinary performances by different groups and troupes. Attendees can also look forward to a range of enlightening workshops, networking chances, captivating panel discussions, and meaningful conversations led by esteemed theater practitioners and industry experts such as Norbert Young, Ossa Earliece, Don Pedro Agbonifo-Obaseki, Fadekemi Olumide-Aluko, Esther Onwuka, Israel Eboh, and Ngozi Obigwe Kunuji.
