The Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA) brought Terra Kulture Arena to life on Saturday September 20th with original stage productions, marking the grand finale of the TAFTA Action Learning Project (TALP-X) 5.0.
Themed ‘Two Stories, One Stage’, the production highlighted the depth of Nigeria’s emerging talent pool through bold storytelling, spirited performances, and socially conscious narratives that drew incessant applause from the audience.
From 3pm to 6pm, TAFTA participants staged two original productions: ‘Kingmaker’ and ‘Bookcover’. The first is a daring drama about an enslaved girl’s struggle to transcend patriarchal oppression and assert her destiny as a kingmaker. The second, a musical play, is a witty and poignant exploration of an elite family confronting its own prejudices.
For TAFTA’s founder and CEO, Bolanle Austen-Peters, the production represented the fulfilment of a vision. “I am so proud of what our trainees are doing,” she said in a statement after the performances. “TALP is giving them the opportunity to practically showcase what they have been studying. My vision is to expand TALP beyond Lagos into other cities, so more young creatives can share their voices and talents with the world.”
In a related remark, TAFTA Academy Lead, Joseph Umoibom, described TALP as the culmination of the academy’s hands-on training model. “From rehearsals to the main stage, our participants are not only learning but also practicing at the highest level. This stage is where their hard work comes alive,” he explained.
Theatre practitioner and arts consultant, Dr. Afeez Oyetoro, lauded the afternoon’s performances, noting that the showcase was far more than entertainment.
In his words: “The creativity and professionalism displayed by these young talents is remarkable. TALP-X is not just entertainment; it is education, social critique, and a training ground for the future of theatre in Nigeria.”
Produced in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, the latest edition of TALP-X spotlights TAFTA’s focus on training young Nigerians in creative skills and providing them with a platform to perform.
