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From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Founder/Creative Director of The Bamboo Theatre, Mrs. Sylvia Ojei, has said that theatre is a powerful tool in handling social information education and other societal issues.
She stated this at the presentation of the ‘Marriage of Anansewa,’ a classical play by a Ghanaian playwright, Efua Sutherland, at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) yesterday.
She disclosed that the drama show, which was sponsored by Hillcity Foundation and SADAF Foundation, endorsed by Rivers State Ministry of Education, supported by Rivers State Ministry of Transportation, alongside Daily Sun Newspaper, RSTV and Treasure 98.5 Fm as media partners, was organized specifically for secondary school students offering Literature in English, to broaden their knowledge of the play to enable them make good grades in examination, since the book is recommended by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in their forthcoming examination.
She mentioned The National Literature Alive Project (TNLAP), saying it is an educational theatre initiative created by The Bamboo Theatre to bring literature to life through live stage performances.
She explained, “The project is designed to help students better understand and appreciate literary texts by transforming them into engaging dramatic experiences.
“TNLAP combines theatre, education and interactive learning to improve students’ comprehension, deepen their love for literature and support their academic success, especially in examination texts. Through performances, guided discussions and question-and-answer sessions, students gain a clearer understanding of the themes, the characters and the key literary concepts in an enjoyable and memorable way.
“Beyond academic support, TNLAP promotes creativity, critical thinking and a stronger appreciation for the performing arts among young people. \By making literature accessible and exciting, the project seeks to inspire a culture of reading, learning and artistic expression in schools and communities.
“So, we use performances, creative engagement, discussions such as this, to bridge the gap between the students and literature test and the idea is for the students to fall in love with theatre, fall in love with Literature in English, make their good passes and do well and begin to understand how powerful and how good theatre is in social information education and so on.”
She encouraged them, saying “So, we want you to do well in school; we want you to come and join us in theatre art because theatre art is a very powerful course in the university.”
According to her, “with theatre art, you can heal, teach, empower and educate, just as we are doing today.
“So, it is the right curriculum and it is an advantage for you. Many students do not have this advantage. So, you are blessed. We are working with professional actors and actresses. We are working with professional crew members. This is total theatre,” she declared.
In his remarks, Zonal Director, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Mr. Peter Chinemenum, advised the students to take advantage of watching the play being performed, and score good grades in their WAEC examination.
He commended TNLAP for organizing the show and commitment in the academic advancement of students and empowerment.
Similarly, Lead Coordinator, Hillcity Foundation, Mr. Chukwuemeka Dike, said the group was committed to adding value to the educational pursuit of students, by supporting outstanding ones with scholarship opportunities.
