APPLYING THE PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT IN MANAGING

This research explores applying the principles of management in managing a festival, using Isi festival as a case study. The aim of this research is to find out how management can be applied in a festival. This study was conducted in in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. The survey research design was employed using questions to elicit responses from the people of Isi community. Research analysis revealed that majority of the respondents in this study attested that management is important in every festival in order to ensure a smooth and successful festival. Since our indigenous festivals have been classified as Theatre, then a trained manager is required to manage it by employing the tool of careful observation, prompt action and clear communication in pursuit of a smooth festival production process. For Isi festival, the researcher functioned as a manager as she is
involved in every phase of preparation to the D-day performance. The festival manager begins working before the major players ever begins and continue even after the event kicks off. The functions, duties and role of a festival manager to employ strategies to manage this event cannot be downplayed nor over emphasize. It is highly recommended that the festival manager serve as an open line of communication between all players and active participants and crew. A tripartite methodology of literary, artistic and sociological was used to realize this research.