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Abstract
The role of the theatre director has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from an authoritarian figure to a creative collaborator who guides, inspires, and unifies the artistic team. This study, titled ‘The Director as a Collaborator: A Case Study of Two Nigerian Directors’, explored how directors function as collaborators within the creative process, using Dr. Patrick-Jude Oteh and Dr. Ovunda C. Ihunwo as case studies. The research was inspired by the growing realization that although theatre is inherently collaborative, much of the scholarly focus in Nigerian theatre studies has centered on the director and the actors often neglecting the equally vital contributions of other collaborators particularly the stage manager.
This study therefore examined how Nigerian directors establish and sustain collaboration with other theatre practitioners such as actors, designers, and stage managers. It aimed to understand how communication, teamwork, and role definition contribute to the success of a production, while also identifying the challenges and tensions that arise in the collaborative process.
Using a qualitative research method,the study employed interviews and textual analysis to explore the director's collaborative approaches . Information was obtained from both directors through structured interview sessions, supported by relevant theoretical and scholarly literature on collaboration, directing, and theatre practice.
Findings from the study revealed that both directors recognized collaboration as the heartbeat of theatre. However, they differ in approach. Dr. Patrick-Jude Oteh combines administrative discipline with creative flexibility, defining collaboration as a partnership that thrives on structure, trust, and professional communication. Dr. Ovunda C. Ihunwo, on the other hand, roots his collaborative process in textual understanding, performance authenticity, and cultural expression. The study further noted that while Oteh treats the stage manager as a core collaborator essential to production success, Ihunwo perceives the role more as an assistant director, reflecting a difference in operational philosophy. The study concluded that successful directing depends not on authority but on the ability to create a participatory environment where each collaborator feels valued and heard.
This study therefore examined how Nigerian directors establish and sustain collaboration with other theatre practitioners such as actors, designers, and stage managers. It aimed to understand how communication, teamwork, and role definition contribute to the success of a production, while also identifying the challenges and tensions that arise in the collaborative process.
Using a qualitative research method,the study employed interviews and textual analysis to explore the director's collaborative approaches . Information was obtained from both directors through structured interview sessions, supported by relevant theoretical and scholarly literature on collaboration, directing, and theatre practice.
Findings from the study revealed that both directors recognized collaboration as the heartbeat of theatre. However, they differ in approach. Dr. Patrick-Jude Oteh combines administrative discipline with creative flexibility, defining collaboration as a partnership that thrives on structure, trust, and professional communication. Dr. Ovunda C. Ihunwo, on the other hand, roots his collaborative process in textual understanding, performance authenticity, and cultural expression. The study further noted that while Oteh treats the stage manager as a core collaborator essential to production success, Ihunwo perceives the role more as an assistant director, reflecting a difference in operational philosophy. The study concluded that successful directing depends not on authority but on the ability to create a participatory environment where each collaborator feels valued and heard.
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