DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS

This research analyses the 2023 UNIBEN staging of Ola Rotimi’s If: A Tragedy of the Ruled as protest theatre to confront systemic poverty in Nigeria. Through TfD’s participatory lens. The production, performed by 200-level students exposed poverty as elite-orchestrated betrayal rather than personal failure, using satire, Pidgin choral resistance, and direct audience address to dramatize healthcare collapse, gendered exploitation, and inflation-driven evictions. Script and observational analysis reveal how the tenement microcosm sparked conscientization, viral discourse, and micro-petitions, while challenging “education ends poverty” myths amid graduate joblessness. Yet resource constraints, urban-academic isolation, and solution deficits limited impact. Marking the first documented Nigerian university use of canonical protest theatre for direct poverty advocacy, findings highlight theatre’s power to forge empathy and agency

Fabrics are far more than clothing especially in indigenous culture and this is same for the Yoruba people. This study investigate the meaning of Aso-oke and Adire Fabrics and it importance to the Yoruba people, showing that that fabric designs are expressions of artistry, the people’s beliefs, custom and tradition. The problem addresses the loss of design, Symbols and motif original meaning over time and globalization. Using a qualitative research approach with interview with seller, dyers and observation, this research project shows how the Aso-oke and Adire Fabrics express cultural identity. The research findings shows that the Aso-oke and Adire Fabrics are far more than just attractive clothing, but are communicators of identity, status, unity and cultural heritage. After all research and findings, this study recommend documentation, cultural education, and government support to ensure the preservation and sustainable transmission of these fabric traditions to future generations.

This study examines the psychological dimensions of acting and their impact on the emotional and mental well-being of Nigerian actors. Acting is approached not merely as an artistic craft but as a psychological complex process involving emotional regulation, empathy, identity negotiation and self-awareness. The research is motivated by the observation that, despite the global recognition of performance psychology, Nigerian actors operate within an emotionally demanding context that lacks institutional psychological support of formal de￾rolling mechanisms. The study adopts a mixed-method design combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Emotion regulation theory and rule theory provided the theoretical framework. The research concluded that acting in Nigeria constitutes a form of substantive emotional labor requiring both artistic skill and psychological resilience. While Nigerian actors demonstrate remarkable adaptability, the lack of training for psychological recovery exposes them to long￾term emotional strain. The study recommends the integration of psychological literacy, the rolling practices and counselling support into Nigerian acting curricular and production environment,the research contribute to a broader understanding of acting as both a creative and psychological negotiation between self and character

This study aims to investigate the impact of celebrity ambassadors as promotional strategies in brand advertising. A study of Globacom Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to identify the extent to which celebrity ambassadors influence consumer perception of Globacom, examine how celebrity endorsement affects brand loyalty among Globacom subscribers, assess whether the use of celebrity ambassadors translate into increased competitiveness for Globacom in the telecommunications industry, ascertain the challenges associated with using celebrity ambassadors in Globacom’s brand advertising. The theory adopted was the source credibility theory, while the methodology meant used was the survey research design. Copies of questionnaire were distributed to students of Theatre Arts, UNIBEN. The findings show that celebrities enhance brand visibility, appeal, and consumer trust while fostering emotional connection and long-term loyalty. The findings also showed that their presence is not sufficient to prevent subscriber churn, and the impact on competitiveness, while positive, is not universally assured. Furthermore, celebrity endorsement comes with notable challenges, including high costs, reputational risks, and the potential to overshadow the brand or product. It was concluded that celebrity endorsements significantly influence consumer perception, brand loyalty, and competitive positioning for Globacom. It was therefore recommended that management should organize regular management training programs and professional Globacom should ensure that celebrity endorsements align closely with brand values and marketing objectives to avoid overshadowing the core product or service. It was also recommended that the company must establish protocols to manage reputational risks associated with scandals or negative publicity involving celebrity ambassadors.

This project examines the Oghogho dance as a tool for cultural revival to achieve this, the dance was staged to provide a more authentic knowledge of the dance in the kind of the reader or audience. Literary/artistic methodology were explored to determine the theoretical / practical aspects of the research. Thus, the research conclude that dance is an essential necessity for reviving culture

Theatrical productions have long aimed to immerse audiences through visual and emotional storytelling. One of the most captivating elements of live theatre is set and prop design, which plays a crucial role in establishing the atmosphere and enhancing the narrative. In contemporary stage productions, designers face the unique challenge of balancing realistic portrayals with technical and financial constraints.

The Lion King, an acclaimed stage production adapted from Disney's animated film, provides a powerful case study in how modern theater grapples with these issues. The production is celebrated for its imaginative use of puppetry, props, and sets, combining traditional theater techniques with innovative designs to create a unique visual experience. However, the ambitious realism and grandeur come with challenges in design, construction, and performance continuity. This research endeavor attempts to identify challenges of achieving realistic props and set design in contemporary stage production, it will also provide possible solution to this challenges.

Harmony is essential to music. The fundamental element of music, which is the harmonic progression, plays a crucial role in shaping emotions and aesthetic impact of a musical piece. This study contains a comparative analysis of harmonic progression in various musical genres which includes Classical, Jazz, Pop, and Hip-Hop. The study revealed the difference between the harmonic progression of different genres. The study applied the Schenkerian analysis theory greatly influenced by Heinrich Schenker. This theory combines music theory analysis that reveals the underlying structure and coherence of a piece. Information for this work were gathered by the use of questionnaires. This study rounded off with the following recommendations: that (1) musicians and composers should consider blending harmonic elements from different genres to create innovative musical styles. (2) Music teachers or educators can use the comparative findings to develop more detailed teaching that focus on genre-specific harmonic techniques. (3) Further research could explore harmonic progression analysis in rising or less-studied genre to broaden the understanding of contemporary musical trends. The researcher identified gernes and specific harmonic progression, investigated the revolution of the harmonic progression pattern across genres and historical periods. Harmonic progression in these musical genres were also compared and contrasted. Finally, the study explored the relationship between harmonic progression and emotional expression in music thereby focusing on three key points which are Harmony: A pleasing combination of notes, Progression: A succession of music from one chord to another and Musical Genres: A category of musical composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content.

This study investigates the Subscribers' Perspectives On Dramatisation In elecommunication Commercials, focusing on the students at the University of Benin, Ekehuan campus. This work made an attempt to identify the perspectives of subscribers or consumers of network services on dramatic elements with an emphasis on Humour and Humorous strategies in commercials. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys to gather insights into the attitudes, perception. The questionnaire served as instrument of data collection. A total of 80 (Eighty) respondents were selected from the population; 5 (Five) students from each level of each department ( 100 Level - 400 Level), 20(Twenty) in total from each of the 4 (Four) departments ( Theatre Arts, Mass Communication, Fine Arts and Education ) making the total number of 80 in Ekehuan Campus, University Of Benin. This aims at ensuring that everybody within the school organisation is represented in the study. The stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used. The data generated were analyzed using simple descriptive and statistical tools such as simple percentages and tabular presentations. The study was anchored on the effectiveness of drama in Commercials along telecommunication networks. At the end of the study, the findings revealed that dramatisedand Dramatic elements infused in Commercials are indeed effective in influencing the purchasing decisions of consumers on the different telecommunication networks available in Nigeria where the population of the study is precisely located. The study also explores preferred mediums of entertainment (Television, Radio, Print Media and Internet) in which the respondents preferred for these Commercials as well as challenges faced in Implementing dramatised Commercials , motivations for using dramatised Commercials and strategic considerations in advertisement creation and lacement.

This study examines the use and style of music incorporation in Nigerian comic movies, with special reference to The Prophetess. The research is motivated by the growing importance of music in Nollywood productions and the need to critically understand how it contributes to storytelling, humour, and cultural representation in comic films. The study specifically investigates the types of music used in The Prophetess, the stylistic approaches adopted in its incorporation, and the functions of music in enhancing narrative development, comedic effect, and audience engagement. The study adopts a qualitative research design, using content analysis as its method of data analysis. The primary source of data is the film The Prophetess, while secondary sources include textbooks, journal articles, and scholarly works on film music, Nollywood, and cultural studies. The analysis focuses on selected scenes in the film, paying attention to how music interacts with visual elements and dialogue to produce meaning. Findings from the study reveal that The Prophetess employs a combination of indigenous music, background scores, and character based musical themes. These musical elements are strategically synchronized with film actions to enhance humour, build suspense, and support narrative flow. The study further shows that music in the film performs emotional, narrative, and cultural functions. It also highlights the effective use of exaggeration and contrast as key stylistic techniques in generating comedic effects. The study concludes that music is not merely an accessory in Nigerian comic films but a central storytelling tool that significantly influences audience perception and enjoyment. It recommends that Nollywood filmmakers pay greater attention to professional sound design and further integrate indigenous musical elements to strengthen cultural identity in film production.

This study focused on investigating the impact of musical activities on schools in Nigeria, focusing on five selected schools in Benin City. The study aimed to determine if musical activities is impactful or not and if yes how it impacted the schools, the students and the society at large and how much it impacted us. Response to the questionnaire used revealed that majority of the respondents affirmed that musical activities have an impact on the students and by extension the school.
The respondents also reported that involvement in musical activities helped to create cultural awareness and reminded us of our history, furthermore, while some respondents believed that musical activities impact the student’s attendance and emotional state, others believed otherwise. Based on these findings, it is recommended that schools introduce musical activities into their curriculum and more musical instruments and music teachers be made available.