ACTORS-WITH-DISABILITIES IN AFRICAN PLAY PERFORMANCE: AN EVALUATION OF THE STAGING OF MR. SABI AT ASIKO ARTS THEATRE VILLAGE

Author: Monijesu Ebube

ABSTRACT             

In African society, the disabled are often seen as objects of pity and as result exempted from normal activities especially of recreation and entertainment in order not to bother them. Also, it is believed majorly that their disability requires they should be hidden from the public eye as much as possible, not to talk of attracting undue attention to themselves. Hence, they hardly ever participate in stage performances or other recreational activities that require an audience/crowd. Apart from the fear of stigmatization, the other obstacle that assails the disabled is the inconsideration of the disabled in the building of most of the infrastructures in African society. To address the involvement or non-involvement of these categories of members of the African society, the attitude of the Average African to the disabled must first be addressed. This article will concentrate on the disabled in Nigeria, where Asiko Arts Theatre Village is based. It looks into the psychological importance of engaging the physically challenged in theatrical performances and its benefits.

Keywords: Recreation, Stage Performance, Actors-with-Disabilities, Exempted.

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