THEATRE

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

This research examine the Challenges and Opportunities Facing Nigeria Theatre management in the 21st Century .The Nigerian theatre industry has a rich history, but in
recent years, it has faced numerous challenges that have hindered its growth and sustainability. The study utilized a survey-based approach with 50 respondents comprising theatre management students and practitioners from university of Benin. The data collection involved structured questionnaires focusing on their experiences, opinions, and observations regarding the challenges and opportunities in the Nigerian theatre industry. The finding reveals that inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, audience engagement and lack of government support are the challenges face in the theatre industry. However, the sector is not without its opportunities. Digital transformation, collaboration and partnerships, community based theatre and youth engagement can serve as catalysts for transforming Nigerian theatre into a globally competitive industry. The study concludes that with the right investment in infrastructure, training, and digital adaptation, Nigerian theatre management can thrive in the 21st century, contributing significantly to the nation’s cultural and economic development