By Henry Obetta

Nigeria will host Africa’s first-ever joint global festival for Improvisational Theatre and Playback Theatre practitioners as Abuja prepares to welcome performers, educators, humanitarian workers, and storytellers from across the world for a week-long cultural gathering in June 2026.

The International Improvisational and Playback Theatre Festival, tagged #MeetInNigeria, is scheduled to hold from June 21 to 27 in the Federal Capital Territory, bringing together participants from North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

Organisers said the event marks the first time both global theatre communities will converge on the African continent for a combined festival focused on performance, training, cultural exchange, and social impact.

Training workshops and masterclasses will take place at BAZE University, while evening performances and showcases will be hosted at Art Tech District.

The festival is being organised by Access to Creative Play Foundation and The Ensemble Improv Theatre Company, organisations known for pioneering Improvisational and Playback Theatre practice in Nigeria.

Speaking on the significance of the event, Festival Director and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Oluwadamilola Abdulai-Apotieri, described the festival as a platform for expanding creative opportunities and social transformation through storytelling.

She said the initiative was designed not only as a performance festival but also as a movement aimed at increasing access, visibility, and the use of theatre for community development and emotional healing.

The festival will officially open with the participation of Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.

According to organisers, the week-long event will feature more than 30 workshops and masterclasses, over 20 international facilitators and trainers, and more than 20 live performances involving Nigerian and international artists.

Participants are expected from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Norway, Greece, South Africa, Australia, Peru, the Philippines, Sweden, Indonesia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Czechia, and Nigeria.

Organisers said the festival is expected to attract about 200 registered participants and over 1,000 audience members during the seven-day programme.

Improvisational Theatre involves unscripted live performances in which actors create scenes, dialogue, music, and movement spontaneously, often based on audience suggestions.

Playback Theatre, founded in 1975 and now practised in more than 70 countries, allows audience members to share personal experiences that are immediately reenacted on stage by performers.

Unlike conventional scripted theatre, both formats are increasingly being used globally in mental health support, education, leadership development, conflict transformation, psychosocial interventions, and community engagement.

The organisers noted that their work since 2015 has included humanitarian and psychosocial support interventions in conflict-affected communities across Borno State, Adamawa State, Yobe State, and Benue State, particularly among displaced and vulnerable populations.

They also highlighted the growing global relevance of Applied Improvisation in sectors such as healthcare, education, technology, and corporate leadership training.

Festival partners include Black Improv Alliance, Vintage Improv Festival, Art Tech District, BAZE University, DOXA Digital Media, and Pearls Learning Hub.

Registration for the festival is ongoing via Access to Creative Play Foundation registration portal.