Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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FACULTY OF ARTS
SECOND VIVA
BY
GROUP 7
PROJECT SUPERVISOR:
Manager
as our PFA 479 (Special Project), in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of B.A
Agbogungboro, The Legend of Ogedengbe revolves around a child who was a born warrior.
Due to the torment and oppression of the Ibadan warriors against the Ijesha people, from
consultation, Ifa revealed that a child would be born to liberate them from the wicked hands of the
enemy. It comes to pass and the child grows up to be a strong warrior. He is not a match for any
of his mates. This wicked act of the Ibadan warriors affected Ekiti and at a point in the libretto, the
Ajele raped the wife of a warrior, a prince of Ekiti, his killing led to the war. Ogedengbe is
consulted to help fight. He does so and saves the people by killing the generalissimo of the Ibadan
Olusegun Olujobi was born on the 25th of March, 1985 in Ibadan. He had his primary
education at Abadina College, UI (Ibadan), Oyo State, Nigeria. Olujobi had his B.A. and M.A.
degrees from the Department of Performing Arts, University of Ilorin in 2010 and 2018
respectively.
Olusegun Olujobi’s parents were against his choice of Performing Arts at first because he was in
the sciences. But when they saw the passion, they came on board with him, especially his mom.
She was his number one fan. His mother’s name is Abimbola Egbedokun, while his Father’s name
Genre can be said to be the art of categorising a written piece of art. These genres are
comedy, satire, tragedy farce, burlesque etc. In literature, some work may fall into more than one
genre; this however depends on the director’s vision where the realisation of the stage play is
concerned. The play Agbogungboro: The Legend of Ogedengbe is a melodramatic dance theatre.
Melodrama is a theatrical genre that involves the struggles between good and bad. Latoosa
The play satirizes Latosa, a warlord who kept on oppressing the people of Ijesha and is
related to how the government oppresses the people. The society needs people who can stand up
against police brutality, corruption amongst other odds. The play is relatable to Nigerian society
as it reflects the situation of Nigerian citizens, as oppressed due to brutal government. Hence, there
is a need for Agbogungboro's in our present Nigerian society. We need to live in one accord and
fight for peace is Segun Olujobi’s conclusion and recommendation in his Agbogungboro.
1.6 Character Analysis of Agbogungboro
Talking about character in a play means the imaginary human being in a play. A playwright
builds a character through age, mannerism, carriage, line rendition, intonation, attitude, behaviour,
stature, height etc. Therefore, every act in a play text can be referred to as character and the act of
1. Ogedengbe: He is a brave, strong and agile young man who was born to save his people from
the hands of Latoosa. However, he is a stubborn and spoilt child who makes sure he looks for
trouble wherever he goes. This does not distract him from his duty to save the people from the
hands of the enemy. He is a young man of 25 years. His real name is Orisarayibi Ogunmola. In his
history, he was given the name Agbogungboro Ogedengbe as a nickname due to his strength,
He is fierce, straight forward and vengeful. He is the sworn enemy of the Ijesha and Ekiti people.
3. Ajele: Messenger of the great Ibadan warlord, Latoosa. He is more like his dog who does
whatever he is told and takes advantage of that the privilege of the position he holds. He troubles
the people of Ijesha. Ajele is the cause of the war that ensued between Ibadan and Ekiti Parapo at
the end of the play because he raped the wife of an Ekiti warrior prince and got killed by the warrior
prince, Fabunmi and that led to Latoosa getting angry and sending a message of war to Fabunmi.
4. Olokunlaaro: She is a young lady and a maid in the house of Latoosa who admires Ogedengbe
very much right from when he was captured as a slave in the house of Latoosa. She risked her life
to save him and helped him to escape from the hands of Latoosa, the enemy.
5. Fabunmi: Fabunmi is a young warrior prince from Ekiti. His wife was raped and with anger,
he fought and killed the man that raped his wife on the spot. He also led the war as the leader of
Watson (1990, p. 210) explains that “a plot should have a beginning, middle and end; the
plot must be the same length which allows hero (character) by a series of probable or necessary
stages to pass from misfortune to happiness or happiness to misfortune”. ‘Plot structure’ refers to
the patterns of the events of a story form. Some cite Aristotle as one of the first writers to codify
story structure. He wrote in his Poetics (though in specific reference to tragedy) that every story
should have a beginning, middle and end – our most basic ideas of structure. Plot is the series of
events that make up your story, including the order in which they occur and how they relate to
The linear plot (sometimes also called dramatic or progressive plot) presents actions or
occurrences chronologically. It typically starts with an exposition (or introduction to the setting
and characters) and the conflict. After that, the rising action follows which leads to a climax. Soon
after the climax, falling action emerges which brings the reader to the resolution.
Flashback Plot
A flashback plot presents actions or occurrences inconsequentially so that the author can
deliver information about events that occurred earlier. It allows the author to begin the story in the
middle of a high-action point, and flash backwards to provide backup to it. Such a backstory helps
the readers get a full understanding of the present events before going to the upcoming events.
Flashbacks can occur more than once and in different parts of a story.
a narrative. Oxford English Dictionary (2012, p. 1056) suggests that themes can be divided into
two categories: a work's thematic concept is what readers "think the work is about" and its thematic
statement is "what the work says about the subject". The thematic preoccupation in Agbogungboro
are;
War: War was a major tool used to settle disputes in production. War played a pivotal role as it
showed both the strength of the main character himself and the defeat of the major enemy, Latoosa.
Attack: The Ibadan warriors occasionally attacked the Ijesha people from time to time and even
stole the crown of the king of Ijesha. This provoked them to seek the face of the gods who revealed
Rape: This was the major cause of the war. Ajele raped Fabunmi’s wife. The Ekiti prince got angry
Death: The death of Ajele caused Latoosa to get angry and send a guard to give Fabunmi an Aroko,
a symbol of war.
Setting in literature is the location and time frame in which the action of a narrative takes
place. The setting is of great importance in Émile Zola's novels, for example, because he believed
that environment determines character. In some cases, the entire action of a novel is determined
by the locale in which it is set. The setting in terms of time, period, or locale can be mentioned,
implied or in the text. Setting is the time and place an author chooses for a literary work. A setting
can be a real time, period and geographical location or a fictional world and unfamiliar period. The
setting also includes the physical landscape, climate, weather, and societal and cultural
surroundings that serve as a backdrop for the action. The setting is revealed through
The Legend of Ogendengbe is set in a rural settlement, revealing the palace (the whole
village is being represented here, as the librettist reveals, including its leaders, the king and chiefs),
and most especially a bush path as the most commonly used location in the libretto. Also, being a
play that dates back to history, all we needed were names from the performances. Ogedengbe,
Latoosa, Ajele, Fabunmi are historical characters from the 1820s. Therefore, it is seen that the
libretto is an 18th-century play. The title Ajele was used during those times as well which is another
factor that revealed that the play is an 18th century setting. In the actualisation of the play, the
choreographer is using his liberty to present the play under the 20th-century to avoid limitations
Three different towns were covered in this place as setting. Ijesha where Ogedengbe was
born and she grew up as well as where the king’s crown was stolen. Another town is Ekiti where
Fabunmi whose wife was raped by the ruthless Ajele from Ibadan and eventually killed by
Fabunmi himself and finally Ibadan where Latoosa, Ajele and his warriors hailed from. They were
the set of people who kept on causing havoc but were eventually defeated by Ogedengbe and the
and content of a dance script. Hodge (1993, p.92) sees Interpretation as a ‘scenario attempt finding
an author’s idea in a play and rendering them honestly and appropriately through the theatre art’.
A choreographic interpretation is a word or statement from a director which embodies the meaning
of a play hidden within it. One has to interpret a play adequately because many things are attached
to the interpretation. The success of the production hangs on the interpretation of the play because
it is what the director feels will be presented on stage for the audience. Consequently, the
choreographic interpretation of the libretto Agbogungboro, The Legend of Ogedengbe is; The
Liberation of the weak from the hands of the Oppressor. Liberation is the action of setting someone
Style is referred to as a manner of doing and presenting things. Akinwale (2000, p.115)
states that ‘style is difficult to define because it has been used to designate various concepts. He
affirms that ‘even plays of the same type vary considerably, and style is one of the casual organisms
of this variety’. He says that ‘style is a quality which results from a characteristic mode of
things. More so, the particular style in a production is determined by the manner of representation
of the playwright, style is therefore the concept and techniques which a director devices to present
his play to the audience. There are several production styles used in the theatre. These styles of
production include Naturalism, Realism, Expressionism, Impressionism, Symbolism, Didacticism,
Dadaism, Surrealism, Modernism, Post-modernism and others. However, for this work, the
production styles that will be adopted are Symbolism and simplified realism.
Symbolism
Symbolism is the art or practice of using symbols, especially by investing things with
symbolic meaning or using visible or sensuous representations such as; artistic imitation or
truth or states. The use of conventional signs in the representation of divine beings and spirits.
Simplified Realism
In a bid to avoid extremism, restricted realism comes into being. This avoids the use of
total technical properties on stage in order not to get the stage choked and to aid the actor’s free
movement on stage. Simplified realism gives room for a director or choreographer and his crew to
play upon realistic elements to suit the production of an aesthetically pleasing theatrical
performance by the group. This, in essence, explains the selection of those things that are important
and that will portray the places you intended to show on stage as a designer. For instance, to portray
an office, you can put a chair, a table and a filing cabinet to depict an office. This furniture will aid
actions.
In other words, to avoid extremism in the use of realism, there is a need for restricted or simplified
realism. Because of its budget-friendly features and ease of realization, this style of production
will be adopted for the dance production of Olujobi Olusegun’s Agbogungboro: The Legend of
Ogedengbe.
1.12 Choreographic Concept
The concept is a “one-word thunder” striking the whole performance. It is an abstract word
that summarizes the message, the artistic work, theatrical elements and the creativity that the
choreographer uses in a production. A libretto may have many concepts, but it is the responsibility
of the choreographer to settle for which one dominates others. Subsequently, the abstract word that
runs through Agbogungboro, The Legend of Ogedengbe is liberation, the action of setting someone
free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; release. "the liberation of all political prisoners
Images are mental pictures formed in the mind of a man. Choreographic images are the
words that come to mind from the directorial interpretation of a play which brings the director’s
concept into clarity. Choreographic images create an imaginary mind picture, images used in the
directing of this liberator includes the following below. Therefore, choreographic images are the
physiological pictures of events which dominate the production of a play. Choreographic images
are the feelings and impressions that the director wants to create in the mind of the audience.
Strength: This image was established in the fourth scene of the play where Ogedengbe joined his
friends in a friendly fight. He fought with them and floored them effortlessly. Another scene where
his strength is displayed is the first war scene where Latoosa deliberately sends Ajele to take
Ogedengbe to the war just for him to be killed. They took him to the war and abandoned him, but
the enemy was unable to beat him due to his strength and eventually, he beat the enemies and
Conflict: This image was established in the first scene when the Ibadan warriors came on stage to
attack the festival and stole the crown of the OWA OBOKUN ADIMULA OF IJESHALAND.
Another conflict was shown In the farm scene where Ajele raped Fabunmi’s wife which eventually
Death: The image of death was recorded at the festival scene when Ajele came to attack and killed
a man who tried to save his wife been taken away by Ajele. Another image of death was displayed
in the farm scene where Ajele raped Fabunmi’s wife. Fabunmi came in angrily and eventually
killed Ajele. Latoosa in the last war scene who was the major problem of this play was eventually
killed by Ogedengbe.
Culture: The image of culture was displayed in the festival through different cultural dances and
the dresses worn for different dances. These cultural nuances were evident and displayed in the
Celebration: The image of celebration comes after the war between Ibadan and Ekiti Parapo has
been won, because after victory, comes celebration. The Ijesha along with the Ekiti people came
Confrontation: The Ibadan warriors came to the palm wine scene where the Ipaye boys and
villagers were having fun and disrupted their fun, attacking the Ipaye boys. There was a
confrontation between the Ipaye boys and the Ibadan warriors. Another confrontation is the fight
between Fabunmi and Ajele because Ajele raped his wife. Finally. There was a confrontation in
the last scene between Latoosa and Fabunmi who was almost killed as well as Fabunmi and
Anger: The image of anger was evident also in the rape scene which led to the fight between Ajele
and Fabunmi. Another scene where this image was shown is the scene where the body of Ajele
was brought in and he discovered that he was killed by Fabunmi and this led to the final war
Pain: This is the scene where Latoosa uses a knife to draw tribal marks on Ogedengbe’s face.
Fear: The image of fear was captured in the first scene where the Ibadan warriors came on stage
and some villagers ran away due to fear from the invading warriors. The same happened when the
villagers scampered for safety as the Ibadan warriors raided the villagers in the palm wine scene.
Also, fear was shown when Fabunmi went to seek the help of the Ifa with the Aroko in his hands
Power: Power is a major fault during the reign of Latoosa before his death. He was powerful
enough to order his warriors to send his warriors to go and take the crown of the king of Ijeshsa.
Power was shown when Iku came to the war eventually at the last war scene to empower the
provides complete organisation to ensure the process runs smoothly and efficiently. A stage
manager oversees sets, props, lights and sound and calls all technical cues during a performance,
also facilitates communication between the various technical departments, the actors and the
director. Written and verbal communication skills are important skills needed by the stage
manager. It is important for the stage manager to have good communication skills to be able to
communicate with the cast effectively. A stage manager serves as a psychologist and must
understand the cast. To do that, the stage manager needs to communicate with the cast and also
Maintaining orderliness in rehearsal: The rehearsal venue must be quiet and free from noise
and it is the job of the stage manager to make sure that the rehearsal venue is noise-free to
Having a proper time schedule and location of rehearsal: The stage manager is to create a
schedule that will be easy for both the actors and crew to attend the rehearsal and also,
rehearsal location should be communicated to the actors before the day in order to avoid
to have a blocking sheet used to record the placement of characters on stage and also to
Preparing of cue sheet: The cue sheet is introduced so it can help the actors to know the
next scenes or next activities going on stage. The cue sheet entails the list of scenes and the
First aid and emergencies: It is the duty of the stage manager to give first aid to any injured
cast, but if it is an emergency the stage manager is to call the school clinic.
Cleanliness of the stage: The stage manager must prepare the stage before rehearsal to
Welfare of the cast: It is important that the stage manager takes care of the welfare of the
cast, for example, giving water and refreshments are ways of taking care of the welfare of
the cast.
Prepare scripts for distribution: The stage manager is responsible for picking and
Below are the required skills to be an ideal candidate for a stage management role:
The Audition process for the PFA 497 20243 Academic Session started 4th of March till
the 5th of March 2023. The audition for AGBOGUNGBORO (the legend of OGEDENGBE) took
place on the 5th of March, Tuesday within the hours of 12 pm – 2 pm, after the audition process
the names of the actors were compiled by the crew members and it was sent to the supervising
authority for approval and it was released some weeks after the audition has been conducted.
It is the duty of the stage manager to run and schedule rehearsals. As the stage manager, it may be
are to:
i. look out for the dancers’ singers’ and actors’ psychological well-being;
ii. be observant so that cast members can participate actively during rehearsals;
iii. be available for cast welfare both during the rehearsals and performance; and
iv. create a prompt book that will guide the cast and crew members during the rehearsal.
As the stage manager, we intend to supervise all pre-show activities like checking of the
sound equipment, warm-ups for the dancers and also to supervise every technical equipment to
ensure that there is no problem, safety checks and to ensure that all the dancers have taken their
cues. And also to prepare the cue sheet that will help the dancers and also a t sheet that will be a
guide for the light and props manager and assist the costumier and makeup artist to make sure that
all dancers and cast members are in their costumes and makeup and also to be at the right place at
the right time. After the production, it is the duty of the stage manager to make sure that all props
and costumes used are returned to the costumier and props manager and also everything used
After the audition, some key duties were expected of me as the stage manager. These were
rehearsal scheduling, and contacting the crew and cast members with information about the
rehearsal schedule (location and time). A timetable was created in which nine groups were planned
to rehearse separately (three groups per day). My group (Group 7) rehearses four times a week, on
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, each rehearsal runs for 2 hours per day.
As the stage manager, these are some of my duties during the rehearsal process:
Assemble all cast members and record attendance after the rehearsal;
Maintain orderliness and quietness during the rehearsal and make sure that there is no use
To keep the director and other crew members informed of the rehearsal time and location;
and
3.1 Costumes
Costumes help to depict the place and time settings of a story; they convey historical
identity and philosophical concepts. Costumes are materials worn by an actor in a play to represent
a character or personality. A costume includes clothing, footwear, headgear, and other accessories.
Costumes express cultural, social, or religious affiliation, conveying a message, theme, or idea,
and enhancing a performance, presentation, or event. According to Frank A.D. (1882, p. 800),
costumes are suitable for specific individuals at a particular epoch. In later periods, once-authentic
costumes may be revived or copied for theatrical purposes. The term was traditionally used to
describe typical appropriate clothing for certain activities, such as riding costumes, swimming
Holt (1988, p. 7) states that costume is part of the actor's apparatus, helping them create
their characters. Every item of clothing sends a signal to the audience, conveying information about
the character's personality. As soon as actors appear, even before they speak, the audience will
have gleaned a great deal of information. The whole image is composed of signs that the audience
will react to, both consciously and unconsciously. These signals convey a clear idea of a character's
as the total repertoire of body modifications and supplements that a particular social group makes
available to its members or as a particular display of body modifications and supplements that a
specific individual assembles from an available repertoire for a particular time and place. In
addition to the complementary role of costume, costume is the only visual tool for realizing both
the intrinsic and extrinsic aspects of a performance. There are different types of costumes:
- Modern costume: Contemporary clothing styles that reflect current fashion trends, worn for
representing specific cultural or ethnic heritage, worn for special occasions, ceremonies, or cultural
events.
- Historical costume: Accurately represents a specific time and period in history, worn for
- National costume: Represents a specific country or nation, worn for national celebrations,
- Fantasy costume: Imagines or creates a fictional character, creature, or world, worn for cosplay,
A costume designer is a person who creates costumes for a film, stage production, or
television show. The role of the costume designer is to create the characters' outfits or costumes
and balance the scenes with texture and colour. A costume designer works with directors,
production designers, and art directors to create the overall appearance of a character or performer.
Costume design involves creating clothing for the overall appearance of a character or performer.
Costume may refer to the style of dress particular to a nation, class, or period. In many cases, it
may contribute to the fullness of the artistic, visual world unique to a particular theatrical or
cinematic production. The most basic designs are produced to denote status, provide protection or
modesty, or provide visual interest to a character. Costumes may be for theatre, cinema, musical
performances, parties, or other events. Costume design should not be confused with costume
coordination, which merely involves altering existing clothing, although both create stage clothes.
- Costume in the theatre is used to identify the period of production (age or time).
- Mood and atmosphere: The costumes contribute to the overall mood and atmosphere of the
- Setting: Costumes can establish the location and cultural context of the play.
- Costumes help actors with characterization, allowing them to get into character and reveal their
The origin of makeup can be traced to the record from the 1st dynasty of Egypt (3100-2907 BC).
Tombs from this era have revealed unguent jars, which in later periods were scented. Unguent was
a substance extensively used by men and women to keep their skin hydrated and supple in order
to avoid wrinkles from dry heat. Technically speaking, theatre makeup can be seen to be the
creating the appearance of character that actors portray during a theatre production.
Theatrical makeup has been used for centuries to help actors transform into their characters. It can
involve special effects makeup, prosthetics, and other techniques to create a wide range of looks.
The use of theatrical makeup became more widespread in the 20th century with the rise of film
and television. Makeup artists began to experiment with new techniques and materials to create
more realistic and dramatic looks. Today, theatrical makeup is an essential part of the
entertainment industry and is used in a wide range of productions, from small plays to big-budget
movies.
Theatrical makeup is used to assist in creating the appearance of the characters that actors portray
during a theater production. The functions of theatrical makeup include creating different skin
tones, aging characters, creating injuries and wounds, and transforming actors into non-Ruman
characters like animals or monsters. It can also be used to enhance natural features and create a
of the actor with cosmetics, plastic materials and other substances. As an art form theatre makeup
is different from real life makeup in terms of manner, matter and a specific look for a character.
Theatre makeup involves the practice of painting, altering or enhancing the face, the hair and body
of the actor with cosmetics, plastic materials and other substances. As an art form theatre makeup
is different from real life makeup in terms of manner, matter and motives. Theatre makeup is an
integral part of the actor's art as is used to create a "psychological distance" between the actor and
Theatre make up define or outline and enhance roles of character and give performance an
additional tool for conveying the characters been performed. Makeup in theatre is important in
enhancing the visual appeal of a play. It helps to create a character's look and personality, and can
also be used to communicate a character's emotions or status. In addition, makeup can also be used
A theatrical makeup kit typically includes makeup base colours, rouges, colour liners for shadow
and highlighting effects, eye makeup and false eyelashes, various cleansers, powder and powder
puffs, putties for making prosthetic features, adhesives, wigs, and facial hairpieces.
Historically, the use of theatre makeup can be said to have started within the first actor Thespis
who make use of white lead and wine, primarily to enhance the visibility and audibility on stage.
Also mask with different design is another element of makeup used in the early theatre period.
The 18th, 19th, 20th century witness dynamic attempt by theatre designers to be realistic with
stage.
Theatrical makeup enhances the features of the performers so the audience at the back of the house
can connect with them, and it brings to life a world of fantasy created by the playwright.
As a performance makeup artist, makeup is applied to performers to reflect a certain period, setting,
or aesthetic for theater performances. Duties and responsibilities include discussing the aesthetic
requirements with the director and costume designers, choosing potential options to test out on
each character to see how they work, and then applying the makeup for the performance.
i. . Character Building:
iv. Makeup gives/life to a character by getting an actor into the skin of such character.
v. Makeup gives idea about the setting of a production. It's one of the indicators of time and space.
1. Straight Makeup: It is a type of makeup that provides a natural, clean and healthy glow. It can
2. Character Makeup: It is used to create a character to the extent of changing a subject physical
configuration to suit the requirements of a script. It encompasses a great deal thus varying age
4. Visual effect: Makeup enhances the visual effect of any production and specifically it enhances
role visibility and aesthetic. By this, facial pictures of an actor can easily be seen and get protected
Few of my aims and objectives to achieving a pleasing and satisfying performance as the theatre
1. Critically studying the script thus understanding what every character is portraying.
2. Cooperating with the director and costumier in order to share ideas and goals towards the roles
3. Portraying realism as much as possible through the cosmetics being applied on the characters.
organization, or company also a supervisor who controls and directs the personnel and activities
evaluations, and supervising all daily activities, they strive to keep the business productive,
efficient and organized at all times. Business managers invest time in finding any new chances that
could aid in the company’s expansion and competitiveness in the market, and they also set goals
Publicity managers provide the public with prepared information about individuals, companies or
institutions. They must upkeep a positive perception of their clients in the public eye. They're
responsible for handling press releases, addressing the press, giving input on advertising and
setting up interviews.
• Having a specialization in a particular field, such as sales, marketing, public relations or finance
aids in efficiency, business managers also develop personal qualities that are helpful in performing
• A social skill of a business manager is the ability to understand and know what each of their
subordinate employee's tasks are and how to work with each employee in working toward
social skills, be organized, honest and able to take good decisions. A good business manager should
be willing to work along his or her employees in order to create a better work environment..
•Create capture tactics for sales targets that are in line with the objectives of the practice area and
As a business manager who wants to ensure profitable production, by ensuring that the available
resources of the production were being put in to the most profitable use. For the success of this
theatrical production and productivity there are also some objectives that will be set apart from the
one being set by the group, such as financial control, fund raising, box office and house
management of both the cast, crew and also the audience. Because, as the business manager the
controlling of both human and capital resources is paramount for the successful output of this
production.
There will be a clear cut control of the financial expenditures of the group by ensuring that the
money is wise spend and not over spent. So therefore, as the business manager the main purpose
of control is to ensure that available resources of the production were being put to the most
profitable use. However, the ideal method of managing the stage production is to recognize the
fundamental elements thoroughly. so that even if there will be minor or unexpected development
each crew members would have prepared for it. However, during the planning process, having
read the script thoroughly the business manager and the others crew members was able to set plans
in depth and produce a list of things needed such as estimation on the cast Welfare's, budget on
Firstly paying blogs around the school premises for publicity and to gain more attention of the
general public. Also, creating a content that would also help in broadcasting the play to the general
public
Also, dropping posters and banners at nice restaurants around the school premises for more
attention also dropping tickets at the restaurant for easy access and also reduces stress of meeting
with the business manager in person for tickets, they can easily walk up to any restaurant around
1.^ "business manager". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press.
the script, actors and the open air theatre were the most important in a theatrical performance. the
very first innovation as far as technical theatre is concerned is the use of hut that stood at the rear
of the Greek playground. This hut conceals actors' movement and actions when not on set. Also
the actors made changes necessary to impersonate characters in the hut. As time went on, this
structure was enlarged and decorated during the Roman period bringing into existence the use of
scenery in a theatrical performance. In the middle ages, theatre existed primarily in the catholic
church the varying of situation brought mood while the various stations of the alter served as planes
and levels of a theatrical stage. With the coming of perspective in the art of painting the locale of
the action became suggestive, thus a painted set aids the audience in understanding the play better.
During the early development of theater especially in Greece, the only source of light was the sun
as most performances were performed in the open air theatre. But when theatre moved indoors, for
instance the Elizabethans period candles were used for illumination in an attempt to create special
effects, colored skills or wine bottles were placed in front of the flame.
As theatre grew from period to period, so did the technical aspect of it, more discoveries were
made in the mid nineteenth century when gas lamps took over stage lighting from candles. The
twentieth century theatre had a greater impact on the development of technical theatre through the
discovery of electricity as a source of light. In contemporary theatre, there is the elaborate and
detailed use of scenery, -appropriate costumes and make - up props, music, sound and lighting, all
these came under the umbrella of technical theatre. The purpose of projecting the idea of the
playwright as conceived by the director forms the focus of the job of a technical director.
According to Wikipedia: technical theatre in Nigeria can be traced to the "Theatrogenic" nature of
a number of the deities in the Yoruba pantheon, such as Obatala, the arch divinity, Ogun the
divinity of storm whose reverence is imbued with drama and theatre and symbolic overall
relevance in terms of its relative interpretation. In the pioneering study of Yoruba theatre, Joel
Adedeji traced its origins to the Egungun Masquerade (the cult of the ancestor). The sprang of
Also, history has it that, technical theatre can be traced back to Alarinjo travelling theatre, in which
the Alárinjo theatrical tradition sprang from the Egungun masquerade. The Alarinjo was a troupe
of travelling theatre, whose masked carried an air of mystique. They created short, satirical scene
that drew on number of established stereotypical characters. Their performance utilized mime,
music and acrobatic. It is the most prevalent and highly developed form of theatre in Nigeria from
1980s to the 1990s. The first contemporary professional company in Nigeria can be traced back to
Hubert Ogunde (1944) by this act, gunde began the rise of modern professional theatre in Nigeria,
a movement in which he remains the supreme artist and fatter figure. It's regarded as the first
Ododo (2000,p.43) observe that: Hubert Ogunde's appearance on the Nigeria theatre scene opened
up a new vista for theatre practice in Nigeria because of the formal dimension he brought into
theatre presentation, using western models to harness indigenous materials while being mindful of
his audience and environment. From his example, various theatrical experiences have emerged
irrespective of their socio-cultural background which is based on certain objective such as
The technical director is a person who organizes and maintains the theatre worship. He is the head
of the technical crew and he does his work in co-operation with the artistic director, in term of
interpretation and reality of the play. According to Oakes, (2014, p. 8) "Technical Director is in
direct charge of all technical elements of production. Plans and supervises constructions and
operations of all settings...Prepares and executes scheme for scene change and alternation of
productions. Plans and supervises all changes in permanent technical equipment is the backstage
efficiency engineer".
The role of the technical director starts from interpreting the play technically by drawing a ground
plan, and the perspectives drawing of the set, he goes on to construct a scenography model which
aids the placement of actors by the director by so doing, the actor get acquainted with the stage on
time. In an ideal theatre the technical director have the following people under him the light man,
sound engineer, the costumiers, make-up artist and the property man. But for the purpose of the
project, the role of the technical director include, set design, and lighting the production.
The technical director as set designer also constructs the set for the production; he makes use of
his artistic vision in designing the set putting in to consideration all the elements and principle of
design with strict observation of the genre of the play and the period of the play. For instances
contemporary Yoruba setting, coupled with traditional setting with which the design made on the
director create art by using light to, depict scenes, mood and facilitate emotions in a production,
while simultaneously meeting the practical needs of illuminating the stage. In doing this he takes
into consideration the directorial concept, directorial interpretation and thematic preoccupation.
Set design is a crucial aspect of creating a visually appealing and immersive environment for
various forms of entertainment, including theater, film, television, and events. Here are some key
1. Concept and Research: Start by understanding the overall vision, theme, and requirements of
the production. Conduct research to gather inspiration and references that align with the desired
2. Scale and Proportions: Determine the appropriate scale and proportions of the set to ensure it
fits the performance space and creates a harmonious balance with the actors and other elements.
3. Floor Plan: Develop a floor plan that defines the layout of the set; including the placement of
walls, doors, windows, and other architectural features. This plan serves as a guide for the
4. Set Pieces and Props: Create or select set pieces, such as furniture, architectural elements, and
props that are appropriate for the time period, style, and narrative of the production. Ensure they
Consider the visual and tactile qualities of the materials, as well as their suitability for the
6. Color Palette: Select a color palette that complements the mood and narrative of the production.
Colors can evoke specific emotions and help establish the desired ambiance.
7. Lighting Design: Collaborate with the lighting designer to ensure the set design is optimized for
lighting effects and complements the overall lighting scheme of the production. Consider
incorporating practical and integrated lighting elements within the set itself.
8. Stage Dressing: Add details such as curtains, drapes, plants, artwork, and other decorative
9. Safety and Practicality: Ensure that the set design adheres to safety standards, allowing
performers to move freely and safely. Consider ease of scene changes and the practicality of set
10. Collaboration: Work closely with directors, producers, costume designers, and other members
of the production team to ensure a cohesive vision and coordination between set design and other
artistic elements.
The term scenography can be describe as the aggregate of pictorial and plastic elements which
contribute to the realistic and ideal or symbolic reconstruction of the settings of an action in a
representation of a stage picture which may include painted stands, hanging furniture and other
objects used to establish a theatrical setting". In other words scenography or scene design does not
stand alone it is a part of the overall dramatic form, it covers the whole range of stage props and
pictorial decorations used during a theatrical production to enhance the theatrical content of the
play to this effect, a scené designer concentrates on the visual embodiment of mood and
atmosphere, theme, genre, period, place of action and the socio-economic background of the play.
The scenographic model is, a representation and model of what the actual set will look like, a minor
small version of original set, as planned by the designer in agreement with the directorial concept.
However, the scenography model for SEGUN OLUJOBI’S AGBOGUNGBORO (THE LEGEND
OF OGEDENGBE) makes use of three locales for all the scenes. The choice of colors for the set
The ground plan means the set aerial view. It indicate and reveal the top view of the stage in the
theatre. Also it is drawn to scale proportion, therefore measurement of the stage and other objects
included is necessary. It is drawn with the use of elements of design like line, shape, space, balance
e.t.c. The ground plan for SEGUN OLUJOBI’S AGBOGUNGBORO (THE LEGEND OF
Perspective is derive from the Latin word "perspire" which means "to see through" it is an
approximate representation on a flat surface (2D) of the front view of the set. The perspective
drawing shows how a set will appear to an audience when completed and fully illuminated with
settings (Ijesha land Nigerian) thereby depicting the palace for king, chiefs and traditionalist
7.8 Scenery
Scenery has gone past being background, as the meaning of dialogue now depends on it to become
what the French call "scenographe" or "decorateur" .and Whom the Italians referred to as
"decoratore" the Dutch named him "Deconrontiverber" and known to the Swiss as DECORATOR
2. Ritual expression of a dynamic spirit of a play in all that come before the eye.
3. The light and plastic element, which by surrounding the living and active presence on stage,
4. The creation of plastic forms and spaces that are integral part of acting projects its meaning.
5. Scenery must be an adequate and appropriate background for all theatrical actions.
6. Scenery must function as an emotional envelope appropriate to the dramatic mood of the
playwright. A visualization in colour, line and light of the dominant emotion to be pictured by the
actors.
Floor Plan
The floor plan is a diagram of the intended stage in perspective. The floor plan includes such
features as pillars or columns and steps, lighting gadgets and the proscenium walls if we are dealing
with an indoor theatre as they affect everything that is put on stage. Using the elements of design.
Elements of Design
There are seven basic elements of design. These include light, colour, line, shape (mass), texture,
ornament and movement. The last movement is usually not considered as an element of design in
entirety as it cannot be avoided in everything done on stage. Light comes on and goes off; actors
move from one position to another; scenes are changed; and lines are altered in progression.
▪ ACTION OF FORM.
1. Line as an element of design defines form. Line is not easily discernible on stage because the
audience is not accustomed to watching out for lines. But they are ever present in the theatre either
in the body of actors or in stage elements and decoration. We have three types of lines: the vertical,
the diagonal and the horizontal. The vertical line connotes the feeling of formality, seriousness and
dignity. The diagonal line connotes the feeling of anxiety and foreboding. The horizontal line
connotes the feeling of repose, relaxation, content and mass atrest. Line is of two categories: the
continuous lines and the broken lines. The continuous lines are suited to tragedy while the broken
lines are more suited to comedy. The continuous or straight lines have dynamism while the curve
or broken lines bave grace. Any object we see in life and on stage is not what it is, but what it has
sense of sight and touch. In texture, we have two surfaces: the rough and the glossy. The glossy
surface is usually credited to nobility and wellbeing while the rough surface is linked to the lowly.
Texture is the first thing that the audience sees when light curtains come up. Texture is best
revealed by directional light, as it exposes all features we have on the surfaces and avoiddistracting
reflections.
3. Ornaments are those elements of design we put on stage for pure beautification. They are
however different from properties because they are not related to on stage by actors and actresses.
They are to help the audience appreciate further everything in a particular scene.
4. Harmony deals with the principle of unity, that is, everything on stage must be seen as one. In
harmony, we also consider the relationship between the different scenes in the play. They must be
related. To avoid monotony, there should be variety. Harmony can be created by the use of color,
symbol, space and shapes. For instance, an olive leaf and a dove-one, a plant; the other; an animal
- when placed together signifies peace. You also have an arrow that is principally used to symbolize
death and the oval shape of the heart which is the seat of emotion; when put together they signify
love.
5. Balance is the relationship between objects. Balance could be achieved by the use of color,
placement, size, shape and texture. As a designer in terms of balance, you are using the stage as a
fulcrum. When we are balancing on stage, we approach it from symmetry and asymmetry
suggests the feeling of rigidity and stability. This is why of the time, actors avoid symmetrical
setting and opt for asymmetrical setting that are dynamic and progressive which is what all actions
in life entail. To achieve balance through the use of colors, they are treated in terms of vibrating
or recessive colors. Warm colors are bright; therefore, they look larger than other colors when
objects are placed in terms of color, we place the warm vibrating colours at a subsidiary positions.
In terms of shape and texture, we place the rougher texture object at the subsidiary position. Shapes
6. Proportion is the relationship between parts of an object. We achieve proportion through shapes,
sizes and colours. Proportions create the sense of unity in any object. Colour in proportion is
7. Emphasis is that place on stage (centre of focus) that attracts attention. There might be two or
more vocal. Places on stage but one must dominate the other: We achieve emphasis on stage by
the use of level (height), colour, shapes, sizes and placement object. When we are dealing with
scenic painting, it is the ability of the set to point to a particular place, an actor and a particular
action without words. Emphasis entails good scenic composition. It has to do with the law
aesthetics.
8. Rhythm is the gradual change of sizes, shapes, colours and placements. When we deal with
rhythm, we are dealing with the idea of grace. It helps in the appreciation of object and avoid visual
fatigue.
1. Baft
2. Banner Design
3. Tack Nail
4. Painting Brush
5. Painting Roller
7. Planks.
LIGHT DESIGNER
The light designer, also called the light man, must be vast in the use of line, light, and colour as
they form the basic element of design. He must have imagination and creativity, he must be able
to research and have a very strong personality, so as not to be dictated to by an autocratic director.
This is because the designer act as the eye to the director's mind, he is responsible for all the
visibility and enhancement of the aesthetics value of the production. Lighting is the art of
illuminating the stage, set and action. When a play is going on the stage, the set and actors must
be illuminated, they must not be in darkness and must be visible to the audience. Lights are used
to create mood and special effects when necessary. Scientifically, it is a form of energy conveyed
in an empty space at high velocity. Light certainly is responsible for the sensation of sight, it is
that part of electromagnetic spectrum detected by the human eyes (Sanusi, 1991,p.56).
Lighting is to assist in creating an environment suitable for the action of the play that brings to the
action, the designer frequently manipulates the intensity and distributions of the light. The placing
of the action usually happens in the opening moments of the performance and can set the tone of
the show.
2. VISIBILITY: This is the amount of light needed for a moment of recognition, deemed
appropriate for that action of the play. That is, to see what should be seen. This may mean revealing
of a part. Each degree of visibility cannot help but take on an atmosphere or mood that will affect
the action.
The term stage lighting instrument is used to state any device employed on the stage to hold a lamp
in the correct position, direct and often to shape it's output of light and to hold colour media in the
resulting beam.
1. PARCAN LANTERN: It is a sealed beam unit that consist of a lamp or led source, reflector and
lens often referred to as PAR (parabolic alluminized reflector). A parcan lantern produces a very
intense light quality. A parcan light is a lamp the generates a highly directional Light beam,
because of it's function they are the favourite of stages around the world for illuminating a single
person or event.
2. FRESNEL LANTERN: Is a common lantern used in theatre, which employs a fresnel lens to
wash light over an area of the stage. The lens produce a wider soft edged beam of light, which is
commonly used for backlight and tonight. The distinctive lens has a stepped appearance of other
lenses.
3. FOG MACHINE: A fog machine is a machine that produces a gas that looks like fog or smoke
used in concerts, theatres, films and night clubs. They enhance the music with dramatic lighting
4. ELLIPSODIAL LIGHT: It can be used for any job but their primary function is to illuminate
a specific proximity. They are the common use of spotlights as they can give a small sharp circle,
it has an ellipsoidal reflector behind the lamp to reflect the light in the direction required.
5. GELS: This are the coloured filters placed in front of the light found in the theaters, gels are
referenced and referred to by number or letters combination. The number correlate to a specific
color.
6. DISCO LED LIGHT: This is a coloured light that flash on and off in time to the music at a
disco.
The actor, when he works on stage, must be seen in proper relationship to his background. This
relationship, of course, is different for each play or dramatic situation. In general, the designer
turns to the manipulation of intensity, distribution and colors of lights to solve his problem.
Distribution is of primary importance because it involves the angle and direction of light. Reaching
the actor to reveal him, especially his face, in natural form. The expression natural form is the clue
it means the actor face should be seen as it appears under natural lighting through the elaborate
control of intensity and distribution that is possible in stage lighting, it is easy to see that by
choosing the proper position and direction of light sources, the face of the actor can be lighted as
it is nature. It has been the practice of artists and characters for long to render their drawings as
though light was falling on the subject from over the artist shoulder at an angle of about 45 degrees,
the lighting designer adopts the same concept by using specific light instruments like spotlight.
The beam spray be directed on the actor at a 45 degree angle above and at 45 degrees from right
or left. A third angle can be employed to further define the actor by lighting him from overhead
(back lighting) and behind. Back lighting is a stratagem borrowed from movie and television
lighting. To separate the actor from his background, it is a necessary angle in television lighting
The use of backlighting on stage to separate the actor from his background also adds another
dimension to the stage composition. Side lights or gilt lights are a compositional plus.
The lighting designer must constantly duplicate the focus of spotlights on many similar areas over
the entire playing area. By dividing the playing portion of the setting into convenient areas and
then lighting each area with the same number of spotlights, the acting area is covered with a
balanced illumination that reveals the actor in the degree of visibility that is most suitable
for immediate situation. The designer soon learns as he begins to use the area system, the areas
should have a generous overlap of lighting, or the actor will walk into dark spots as he leaves one
area for another he also finds that he cannot always maintain the idea of angle 45 from both sides
of each area. The extreme right and left sides of the stage are unavoidably covered by spotlights
A prop, also known as a theatrical property, is an object utilized by actors on stage or screen during
from scenery, costumes, and electrical equipment. This includes consumable food items. The term
"properties" has been used since the 1425 CE morality play, The Castle of Perseverance, while
"props" was first noted in 1841, with the singular form "prop" appearing in 1911. During the
Renaissance, small acting troupes functioned as cooperatives, with items like stage weapons and
furniture considered "company property." Some experts suggest that the term comes from the idea
that stage or screen objects "belong" to whoever uses them on stage. There is no distinction
between props in various media, such as theatre, film, or television. Bland Wade, a properties
director, notes that a coffee cup is the same on stage, television, or the big screen. Props are crucial
in giving the scenery, actors, or performance space a specific definition in a theatrical performance.
Originating from live-performance practice, the term "theatrical property" extends to various forms
of entertainment, such as plays, musicals, circus acts, comedy performances, and film. Props in a
production are typically stored backstage, and the person in charge of them is known as the
property master. Other positions, such as coordinators, production assistants, and interns, may be
needed depending on the project. Props can be divided into categories based on their use on stage.
* Set Props / Furnishings: These are large items that are rarely, if ever, moved by the cast in the
* Set Dressing: These are items that are not touched by the actors but complete the look of the set.
These include books on a bookcase, pictures on a wall, fancy plates in a china cabinet, etc.
* Hand Props: These are items carried by and used by the actors in the course of stage directions
or stage business. These include such things as a cell phone an actor uses, a coffee mug they drink
* Costume Props: These are items that are not generally considered clothing but would be designed
by the costume designer and worn by the actors. These include hats, eyeglasses, wallets, pocket
watches, etc. Some props have additional requirements which they must meet. These additional
* Practical Props: Any item that is a practical prop is also one of the other categories listed. A
practical prop is one that must perform its real-world function. For example, a cell phone (hand
prop) that an actor needs to hold and imagine that they are using to make a call is not practical.
However, if that cell phone needs to ring on cue, it is now practical hand prop. Similarly, a lamp
that sits on the stage is set dressing, until it is determined that it must also turn on. Generally, if the
prop must light up or make a noise, especially if cued somehow from off stage, it is considered a
practical prop.
* Consumable Props: Like practical props, consumable props fit into an additional category. A
consumable is one that is “used up” over the course of one or more performances. Food that is
eaten by the cast on stage is an example of a consumable prop, as are letters that are torn to pieces
by the cast. If a show has a practical flashlight, its batteries and lamp would be considered
consumable.
* Rehearsal Props: Often the “real” props are not available for the rehearsal period. In those cases
where the actors need certain props to rehearse, but do not have access to the real prop, a substitute,
or rehearsal prop, is acquired. Rehearsal props need to be approximately the same size and weight
as the real prop but are generally a cheap substitute that does not have the correct look.
Theatrical properties are crucial in production in the case that they complement and motivate the
characters. Props helps in setting the scenes. Props contribute to the style and mood of the play.
A props manager is a person in charge of handling the props. The props manager is responsible for
obtaining all props needed for the production. The props manager also works with the stage
manager in gathering appropriate rehearsal props early in the rehearsal process, the props manger
is directed by the director. The props manager can also be refers to as an artistic and organizational
employee in a theatrical production, film or television who is responsible for purchasing, acquiring,
manufacturing, properly placing and overseeing any property needed or required for a production.
In a professional theatre, the property manager or props designer is usually under the technical
director in the theatrical production and he sees to the set-up and organization of properties to be
used.
The props manager must attend all rehearsal so as to ensure that all props are use as they should
be. Make a list of props needed for the production: The list is called the “properties list,” and to
make sure it’s comprehensive, the props master goes through the script and also sits down in
production meetings with various people—like the art director, technical director, stage manager,
set designer, set decorator, set dressers, and/or costume designers—to discuss what props will be
needed. Research appropriate props: If a film is set in a specific time period or location, the props
master will need to know what the props would realistically look like—from guns to cars to soup
cans.
Acquire all props, all within the budget: The props master is responsible for making sure all props
make it to the set—on bigger-budget films, they have a team of prop makers, but on smaller-budget
films, the props master is usually making, renting, or buying all the props themselves. This includes
backup props in case something gets broken on set, as well as finding animal vendors for any
Monitor prop use for safety: Once all the props are ready to be on set, the props master supervises
all prop use to make sure props aren’t broken. This includes making sure actors are using the hand
props (any props handled by actors) safely, and that set props (props that are part of the set) hold
up during takes. This even includes handling any firearms or testing any fake drugs that will be
used in the production, to make sure they won’t harm the actors.
Keep all props organized: The props master also keeps track of all props and backup props, usually
in labeled bins on set, to make sure nothing goes missing and that everything is ready for each
scene.