The theatre artiste and the challenges of unemployment in Nigeria: surmounting tips for the artistic director

Abstract

Unemployment appears to be the greatest challenge militating against the development of the African nations. In Nigeria for instance, eradication of unemployment has become a regular item in the agenda of every government epoch of both military and democratic leaders. This study uses the sociological and the literary methodologies to identify theatrical avenues that are employment opportunities for the artistic director in contemporary Nigeria. The study observes among other things that, the artistic director has the capacity to silence unemployment of the theatre graduate because employment for him (artistic director) generates employment for the rest of the theatre collaborators who include the set and lights designers, makeup artist, costumier, props and sound manager, actors and the management crew amongst others. The study therefore, identify and recommends street protests, burial ceremonies, convocations and matriculations events, campaign rallies, church crusades and services, birthdays and naming ceremonies as potential theatrical experiences that are employment opportunities for the artistic director. It is hope that with this, the unattended challenge of unemployment will be reduced for the theatre graduate in Nigeria.