ABITFA Returns to Abuja with ‘The Art of Becoming’ as Fourth Theatre Festival Opens 4th November

THE Abuja International Theatre Festival and Awards (ABITFA) will return for its fourth edition from 4 to 8 November 2026, bringing theatre practitioners, cultural organisations, emerging creatives and audiences together in Nigeria’s capital.

Organised by Arojah Royal Theatre, the five-day festival will celebrate artistic expression, professional development and cultural exchange. This year’s theme, “The Art of Becoming,” explores growth, transformation, discovery and the limitless possibilities of creative expression.

Through the theme, ABITFA invites artists and audiences to reflect on how individuals, communities and the performing arts evolve through experience, collaboration and storytelling. Moreover, the festival seeks to strengthen the connections between theatrical practice, cultural identity and the changing experiences of society.

Four Productions Take Centre Stage

The performance programme features four presentations that explore human relationships, social experiences and the expressive power of theatre.

The festival opens its stage programme on Thursday 5 November, at 6:00 p.m. with Federico García Lorca’s The Shoemaker’s Wonderful Wife, presented by Jos Repertory Theatre. Supported by the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria, the production will introduce audiences to the celebrated dramatic world of the Spanish playwright.

On Friday 6 November, at 6:00 p.m., Arojah Royal Theatre will present LEAH, written and directed by Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo. Inspired by the story of Leah Sharibu, the production explores faith, courage, identity and human resilience.

Arojah Royal Theatre will return to the stage on Saturday 7 November, at 6:00 p.m., with Adesewo’s Iya Arike. The presentation offers audiences another opportunity to experience the company’s theatrical storytelling.

All the performances will take place at Whisper Art Haus, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, Abuja, an art space that has increasingly hosted theatrical productions in the Federal Capital Territory.

Masterclasses & Roundtables Strengthen Professional Development

Beyond the stage productions, ABITFA 4.0 will feature workshops, masterclasses, roundtables and panel discussions designed to improve artistic practice and encourage professional collaboration.

The professional programme begins on Wednesday 4 November, with the Nigerian Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) Roundtable, titled “The Art of Becoming.” Scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the Art and Craft Village, Abuja, the session will examine artists’ professional journeys through experience-sharing and conversations about the factors that shape creative careers.

The following day, Thursday 5 November, at 10:00 a.m., the festival will host a directing masterclass, “The Way and the How: The Art and Craft of Directing.” Peter St. Ricks will facilitate the session, while Dr. Ola Ifatimehin will curate an interactive discussion.

The masterclass, scheduled for the American Space, FCT City Library, 2 Gwani Street, Zone 4, Wuse, Abuja, will examine how directors translate creative concepts into stage productions. Participants will also explore the process of working with actors and designers to achieve a unified artistic vision.

Meanwhile, Friday 6 November, will feature “The Sound of Silence,” an artistic encounter workshop facilitated by Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo. The session will begin at 2:00 p.m. at the Art and Craft Village, Abuja.

Digital Theatre & Community Engagement Enter the Conversation

The festival’s professional programme will continue on Saturday 7 November, with a virtual talk session titled “Participatory Theatre in the Digital Age: How to Stage Plays That Build Communities and Engage Young Citizens.”

The discussion will bring together theatre practitioners from different contexts to explore how participatory theatre can strengthen community involvement and connect with young people in an increasingly digital environment.

Together, the roundtable, masterclasses and workshops demonstrate ABITFA’s commitment to creating opportunities for artistic learning, critical reflection and professional networking. They also broaden the festival beyond stage performances by encouraging practitioners to examine new approaches to theatre and audience engagement.

Organisers Invite Artists, Institutions & the Public

ABITFA 4.0 welcomes actors, directors, playwrights, producers, designers, arts educators, cultural administrators, students, emerging creatives and members of the public interested in theatre and the wider creative industry.

In addition, the organisers are inviting organisations, institutions, businesses and individuals to support the festival through partnerships, sponsorships, donations and publicity. Members of the public are also encouraged to share information about the event to expand access to its performances and professional activities.

As Abuja prepares to host the gathering, “The Art of Becoming” serves as more than a festival theme. It is an invitation to learn, create, connect and imagine new possibilities for the performing arts.

For performance registration, festival information and sponsorship enquiries, visit www.arojahroyaltheatre.com.ng/abitfa. Further updates are available through Arojah Royal Theatre’s social media platforms, @arojahroyaltheatre.