The Bamboo Theatre, a contemporary theatre company committed to fostering community dialogue through performance has concluded a transformative three-day Forum Theatre Show in Port Harcourt.
The immersive event empowered young people with tools for self-expression, encouraged critical conversations and inspired collective action through the power of storytelling.
In her opening address, Founder and Creative Lead of the company, Sylvia Ojei emphasized the organisation’s mission to use theatre as a catalyst for social change. She spoke passionately about the ability of storytelling to shape perspectives, challenge social norms and equip young people with the confidence to navigate real-life challenges.
“At The Bamboo Theatre, we believe in the power of stories, not just to entertain, but to challenge, to heal and to inspire action. This Forum Theatre Show is about giving young people the stage to voice their realities and explore solutions together,” Ojei declared.
Held at Alliance Française, Port Harcourt, from February 20 to 22, 2025, the event brought together theatre practitioners, youth advocates and creative professionals to explore pressing issues affecting young people, such as social media addiction, peer pressure, youth misconduct and education.
The programme kicked off with an intensive Forum Theatre Workshop, where participants were introduced to the fundamentals of storytelling, improvisation and performance. Under the guidance of Associate Professor James Eshiet, a renowned theatre coach and Uche Ryland, an accomplished dance coach, the young performers honed their skills in acting and movement. Through interactive storytelling exercises, they developed narratives drawn from their personal experiences, culminating in a script that reflected the struggles and aspirations of modern youth.
On the second day, the participants delved into warm-up exercises, play development and final rehearsals. To refine their communication skills, they received expert guidance from Ginikanwa Frank-Durugbor, a communications professional and coach, who provided online coaching on emotional expression and storytelling strategies. In addition, Ijeoma Onyeji-Nwogu, a Neural Change Strategist & Coach, led an insightful session on the power of body language and psychological techniques in performance. These sessions not only enhanced their stage presence but also deepened their understanding of theatre as a tool for advocacy and change.
The highlight of the event was the final day’s Town Hall Theatre Show, a unique performance where audience participation was central to the experience. The evening opened with a video showcase of participant stories, setting the stage for profound reflection. Then, through a gripping theatrical performance, the young actors depicted real-life struggles, the distractions of social media, the pressures of conformity, and the conflicts of family expectations.
However, unlike traditional theatre, this was not a passive experience. After the initial performance, audience members were invited to step forward, challenge the narrative, and act out alternative solutions. This interactive approach, a defining feature of Forum Theatre, transformed spectators into active participants, allowing them to reshape the storyline and explore real-world solutions in real-time.
“Your voice is your tool for expression. You must use it to inspire others, uplift people and ignite change wherever you find yourself,” urged Frank-Durugbor, inspiring the youth to embrace storytelling as a force for advocacy.
For Ijeoma Onyeji-Nwogu, the power of Forum Theatre lies in its ability to drive introspection and action:
“The Bamboo Theatre helps reshape young people’s perspectives by allowing them to act out situations and co-create solutions they might not have considered before.”