International Improv and Playback Theatre Festival

Overview

The first-ever global Playback Theatre and Improv Theatre Gathering, promoted as #LetsMeetInNigeria. The festival merges two art forms - Playback Theatre, where real stories shared by the audience are enacted on stage, and Improv Theatre, unscripted performance that connects people through laughter and play. It was inspired by creative exchanges from the Vintage Improv Festival, SAVI Improv Festival, and Oslo Improv Festival.

The festival features daily performances in both Playback and Improv Theatre, along with workshops led by local and international facilitators covering performance techniques, facilitation, applied theatre, and ensemble collaboration. Training workshops and masterclasses run mornings (9 AM to 5 PM daily) at BAZE University, with evening performances and showcases (6 PM to 8 PM) hosted at Art Tech District. An all-access festival pass covers all performances, showcases, open stages, and community events. Optional cultural experiences include local market visits, art exhibitions, and guided Abuja tours. Participants are expected from the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Greece, South Africa, Australia, Peru, the Philippines, Sweden, Indonesia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Czechia, and Nigeria.

Sources

• Access to Play - Meet in Nigeria
• Vanguard - Nigeria hosts Africa's global Theatre Festival in Abuja
• Blueprint - Nigeria hosts Africa's first International Improv and Playback Theatre Festival in Abuja
• Punch - Abuja to host Africa's first playback theatre festival
• Improv Comedy Connection - Oluwadamilola Apotieri-Abdulai
• Christian Improv Comedy Association - Oluwadamilola Apotieri-Abdulai