By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Get ready for the ultimate celebration of creativity and diversity as the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) makes its highly anticipated debut in November 2024.
This amazing event is the brainchild of Bolanle Austen-Peters, who has joined forces with Lagos State to create a vibrant platform for thespians to shine.
Austen-Peters, an amazing theatre director, producer, and award-winning filmmaker, is driving this initiative with the support of forward thinking corporate partners like First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dorman Long Engineering, Amstel Malta and Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.
According to Austen-Peters, “The creative industry is at the heart of every nation that thrives, and Nigeria is especially blessed with imaginative creativity and abundant talents. This is what God has blessed us with—the only resource that is infinite. It is important for us to provide a platform where our creatives can explore, tell our stories, and export our positive philosophies and values to the world. This is why we are launching the Lagos International Theatre Festival.”
Four iconic venues in Lagos which are, The National Theatre, Terra Kulture, Muson Centre and John Randle Centre, will transform into a place of creativity, hosting diverse performances, including musicals, skits, and theatre productions, all celebrating the richness of African culture and storytelling, from November 15 to 17, 2024,
The Lagos State Government, as the festival’s lead sponsor, is dedicated to nurturing the arts and culture scene. Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, notes, “today, we celebrate the vibrant cultural heritage and artistic spirit that make our state truly special. This theatre festival not only showcases the incredible talent of our local performers, directors, and playwrights but also brings our communities together in a shared experience of storytelling and creativity. Theatre has the power to inspire, to challenge, and to connect us, reminding us of our shared humanity.”
First Bank of Nigeria, through its First Arts initiative, is the lead banking sponsor, demonstrating its commitment to empowering the creative industry. Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, expresses her excitement about being part of this event. She said, “we are delighted to be a part of this edition of the Lagos International Theatre Festival. This partnership avails us the opportunity to contribute to nation-building and support the entire creative arts value chain. Through such platforms as LITF, we continue to enable the next generation of creative giants to thrive and reach their full potential.”
With a legendary advisory and governing board, including Joke Silva, Femi Elufowoju Jr., Chioma Ude, Jahman Anikulapo, Israel Eboh, Samuel Perry, Kehinde Bankole, Osas Ighodaro, John Momoh, Karl Toriola, Yemi Idowu, Ron Kunene, Ladi Chinede, Donald Duke, and Yewande Zaccheus, LITF 2024 promises to be an unforgettable experience, offering workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions, as well as a vibrant marketplace showcasing theatre-related merchandise.
In addition to the performances, the festival will feature interactive sessions, led by industry experts, offering valuable insights and learning opportunities for aspiring artists and practitioners.
This festival is set to make a significant impact on the local economy, driving growth in the creative industry, generating employment, and boosting tourism in Lagos state. Don’t miss out on the excitement. Mark your calendars for LITF 2024.
