Image source: Original reporting / image source. Copyright remains with the respective owner.
NATAP president Makinde Adeniran urges Nigerian screen actors to embrace stage training and calls for sustainable policies supporting theatre development.
As Nollywood continues to expand, National Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners president Makinde Adeniran is drawing attention to the training system behind compelling screen performances. His message is clear: Nigerian actors should not abandon the stage while building careers in film.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS, Adeniran described theatre as the foundational training ground for performers. His intervention places NATAP actor training at the centre of a wider conversation about developing versatile talent and protecting Nigeria’s performing-arts ecosystem.
Why the stage still matters
According to Adeniran, film sets cannot give actors the same opportunities to develop and continually reinvent their craft as theatre does. His argument highlights the different demands of stage performance, where actors must sustain characters and engage an audience through a live production.
For emerging performers, that position challenges the idea that appearing before a camera is enough to complete their professional development. It also suggests that theatre should not be treated merely as a stepping stone to screen visibility, but as an enduring space for discipline and artistic growth.
The issue matters to Nollywood because the strength of Nigerian cinema depends partly on the depth of its acting talent. If the theatre pipeline weakens, filmmakers could eventually have fewer performers with the broad preparation needed to approach varied roles and adapt across formats.
A warning for the wider creative industry
Adeniran also warned that neglecting theatre could weaken both film and the broader performing-arts ecosystem. Theatre supports more than actors: its continued health contributes to an environment in which creative professionals can practise, collaborate and refine their work.
His comments therefore go beyond individual career advice. They raise questions about whether Nigeria has a sustainable structure for nurturing performers before they enter an increasingly competitive screen industry.
NATAP calls for sustainable government policy
The NATAP president called for clearly defined and sustainable government policies rather than isolated infrastructure projects or short-term funding. That distinction is significant. A new venue or temporary intervention may provide immediate support, but consistent policy can help create lasting opportunities for training and professional practice.
For actors, producers and filmmakers, Adeniran’s appeal is a reminder that Nollywood’s future is connected to the institutions that develop its talent. Preserving theatre as a working training ground could strengthen screen performances while ensuring that Nigeria’s stage tradition remains an active part of the creative economy.
Join the conversation
Should Nigerian screen actors make regular stage work a central part of their professional training?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Sources
Source links used to research and verify this article:
Punch
No comments:
Post a Comment