In what observers describe as a unique intersection of leadership development and theatre, Executive Coach and performance strategist Dr. Abiola Salami is bringing his book, No More Shrinking: A Performance Tool for Women Who Are Done Playing Small, to the stage.

The stage adaptation will premiere on Saturday, March 28, with two performances scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Terra Kulture, one of Nigeria’s foremost cultural and theatre centres.

The production marks a rare moment in Nigeria’s performing arts landscape, where a leadership and performance development book is adapted into a stage play, reflecting a growing trend of blending professional insights with artistic storytelling.

Nigeria has a long and celebrated tradition of adapting literary works into theatre productions. The plays of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka remain central to the country’s theatrical culture, with works such as A Dance of the Forests and The Road continuing to influence generations of theatre practitioners.

Similarly, the novels of Chinua Achebe, particularly Things Fall Apart, have inspired numerous stage interpretations over the years, reinforcing the powerful relationship between literature and theatre in Nigeria.

Contemporary Nigerian theatre has also witnessed acclaimed adaptations such as The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, based on the novel by Lola Shoneyin, adapted for the stage by playwright Rotimi Babatunde.

More recently, Achebe’s Arrow of God was reimagined as an opera and performed at Operabuja in 2025, highlighting the continued vitality of literary storytelling in Nigeria’s performing arts.

Unlike many earlier adaptations that explored colonial history or cultural identity, No More Shrinking focuses on a contemporary leadership challenge — the psychological barriers that often prevent talented professionals, particularly women, from fully expressing their competence in workplace and leadership settings.

Through dramatic scenes, spoken-word storytelling, and character-driven narratives, the stage production explores everyday professional moments such as hesitation to speak in meetings, navigating male-dominated environments, and balancing confidence with social expectations.

Speaking on the production, Dr. Abiola Salami said the adaptation was inspired by real-life experiences shared by professional women across industries.

“Many brilliant professionals know exactly what they want to say in critical moments but hesitate to express it,” he said. “The stage offers a powerful way to bring these internal battles into the open and start a meaningful conversation.”

Industry observers say the adaptation reflects an emerging shift in Nigerian theatre toward productions that combine personal development, social commentary, and artistic expression.

With performances scheduled for Saturday, March 28, the stage production is expected to attract professionals, cultural enthusiasts, and theatre audiences interested in exploring the intersection of leadership insight and performing arts.

The play will be performed at Terra Kulture with showtimes at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m..