Bola Afolabi
The University of Abuja community got a dramatic awakening weeks ago when dramatic arts students of the institution staged a play titled ‘Echoes of a Dying Earth’. The performance was courtesy of the Komuniti Project of Thespian Family Theatre & Productions, in collaboration with higher institutions across the country. The initiative by the founder of the theatre company, Mrs Ayo Jaiyesimi, is a cause in the regeneration of the environment.
In ‘Echoes of a Dying Earth’, well-meaning individuals rise against the degradation caused by an individual is a symbol of those who hardly care about the environment. It projects the voices of activists, stakeholders and people affected by climate change. The setting is a small community, a microcosm of Nigeria.
As the producers note in a statement, the community wakes up to strange happenings and tragedies. The young people among them realise that the reasons for the preventable tragedies are caused by man in his quest for profit and good living determine to do something about it. They confront the elite class as well as their own so-called custodians of life and culture. They reject and expose the corruption of the day. Through their collective reasoning and resilience, they regain their eroded and threatened environment.
The project was anchored by the theatre department in the university, and it recorded great enthusiasm on the parts of the lecturers and students.
“The success of the production lies not just in the talents exuded by the performers, but also in the enthusiasm ployed by the staff and students of the institution. Of course, the play won many souls for the environment too,” says Jaiyesimi.
The Komuniti project has been to other varsities that include Bowen University, Iwo, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, while it will be at the Lagos State University, Ojo, this September.
The KöMUNitī – UniAbuja Team:
– Dr Emem Obonguko Olutoke – Lead Coach/ Coordinator
– Osiromhe Blessing – Music/ Choreography
– Emmanuel Odey – Technical Director
– Kolawole Abiodun – Director
On the goal of the project, Thespian Theatre’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Ayo Jaiyesimi, says it is in line with the functionality of the arts, especially in Africa.
Jaiyesimi adds in a statement: “For over 20 years, THESPIAN Family Theatre & Productions has been dedicated to using visual storytelling to drive social and behavioral change through community-focused initiatives. This season, our spotlight is on the environment, a critical issue that demands attention. We are aligning our focus with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and zeroing in on SDGs 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 14, and 15.
“The environment plays a vital role in our lives, and it is our responsibility to care for it and maintain ecological balance. Despite measures and propaganda, apathy remains a significant challenge. Therefore, we have taken a personal approach to address this issue. We are engaging with the community and community groups through workshops, readings, stage plays, competitions, and roadshows to reinforce government efforts and global interventions.”
She explains that the creative sector, particularly the performing arts, has the power to inspire social change by presenting vivid pictures of current situations, the need for change, and the benefits of collective action.
“We are collaborating with 14 universities in 2024/25 to drive awareness and social change. These universities will participate in workshops, scriptwriting, and performances to showcase environmental issues and promote sustainable practices,” she further notes.
