PROBLEMS OF THEATRE MANAGEMENT IN IMO STATE. A CASE STUDY OF IMO STATE COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND CULTURE.

PROBLEMS OF THEATRE MANAGEMENT IN IMO STATE. A CASE STUDY OF IMO STATE COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND CULTURE.

ABSTRACT

This paper focuses on the problems of theatre management in Imo state. A case study of Imo state council for Arts and culture, in effect therefore, this work is intended to generate ideas and debates which could lead to other findings and conclusion, that will not only be of value of other but also contribute to the problems and solution of Imo state council for Art and culture. This project spans five chapters, chapter one deals with the basic concepts in the project dwelling on such term like theatre, management and theatre organization. Chapters two analyze the literature review on management. Chapter three shall analyze the history of the council and some of the production of the council and also attempt shall be made to apply management skill and problems of managing the council. Chapter four: An analysis of the management strategies and problems, at the same time we have look the solutions to the problems of managing the council and chapter five deals with the summary of major findings, recommendation, conclusion and bibliography.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       i

Certification     –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       ii

Dedication       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       iii

Acknowledgement    –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       iv

Abstract   –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       vi

Table of Contents     –       –       –       –       –       –       –       –       vii

CHAPTER ONE

1.1      Background of the Study

1.2      Statement of Problem

1.3      Scope of Study

1.4      Significance of Study

1.5      Limitation of Study

1.6      Research Method

1.7      Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO

2.1      Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE

3.1   Brief History of the Council

3.2   Some of the Production of the Council

3.3   The Administration of the Council

3.4   Artistic Director

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1   The Management Strategies

4.2   Solution to the Problem of Managing the Council

CHAPTER FIVER:   Summary of Major Findings, Recommendation and Conclusion

5.1   Summary

5.2   Recommendation

5.3   Conclusion

        Bibliography

CHAPTER ONE

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Theatre art is an important instrument for the propagation and development of culture and therefore the society. In contemporary Nigerian there exist “a theatre of sorts” The multicultural set of this most popular African country presents an interesting study in the arts and culture of their people. Each of the cultural groups has peculiar theatrical practices, which are distinctive from those of other groups.

Similarities of their culture are however not strictly ruled out. There exists the Nwanwu theatre of the Igbos, Kwaguir theatre of the Hausas and Alarinjo of the Yoruba. The groups formed the pillar and consequently prepared the ground for the study of theatre arts as a discipline in Nigeria.

Arts are very much promoted by the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture (ISCAC) which was established in December, 1980. There are also the Omenimo cultural group the Imo State Council for Art and Culture, the Okata cultures of Ngor Okpala (as to outkick of Owerri) the Oku uzo theatre of Egbu. The Imo State University Theatre and Rosy Arts Theatre in Ikenegbu layout, the State Council for Arts and Culture had.

1.2      STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The years between 1984 and 1994 witnessed a yearly colorful arts festival termed “OZURUIMO”. In recent time, it appears that the Arts’ Festival has died a natural death and all those good performances by various theatrical and cultural groups have gone with it.

The state in its part has not helped matters by not putting into consideration theatre practice and management. it has not encourage many to learn how to manage the arts of the theatre as a profession. The main problem, however is that the councils for arts and culture which are sponsored to promote government interest in the arts are allegedly not well managed.

1.3      SCOPE OF STUDY

This is a study of the management of the council of Imo State Council for Art and Culture. It examines the problems of managing the center and recommends solutions to the problems based on the management systems adopted. The essay will introduce us to the process involved in management and enlighten the reader to the art of management, which deals with the ways through which one can run a council. This we could realize through the essay.

1.4      JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY

In the theatre, the laid down rules have been ignored because many theatre managers want to make easy money. This research therefore intends to investigate and highlight the problems of theatre management in Imo state Council for Arts and Culture. Another purpose of the study is to explain that trained theatre managers can perform better in creativity if given the chance to work. Secondly, the study also has the possibility of enlightening readers more on the Essay.

1.5      SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study is significant because it is beneficial to students of theatre management and people who intend to carryout research into the management on Councils for Arts and Culture.

1.6      LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This study is the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture. The population is derived from Igbo people of Imo State. Results arising from the study can only be generalized among the people of Imo State. The study is therefore delimitated in that sense.

1.7      DEFINITION OF TERMS

To fully gain an in depth knowledge of what this project contains there is the need to attempt a modest definition of the concept in this work. This will help us to have a clear knowledge of what they will be used for. Such terms like theatre, management and theatre organization are defined.

THEATRE

        According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary theatre is a building or arena (open air) for the performance of plays, for dramatic spectacles. Understanding the nature of African theatre requires the study of its ritual origins.

The chambers 21^st century Dictionary puts it:

The word “Theatre” is derived from the Greek word “Theatron” which means “place for seeing”. In this sense, it has been said to be describing an architectural structure but to house dramatic offerings and other types of presentations. Viewed from another perspective of this definition “a place for seeing” it can also be seen as an “area” (without any architectural building) for the performance of plays and for dramatic spectacles.

John Gassner observes that:

Theatre is simply the art of ‘acting out’ something. It does not even need a special building and stage for it can take place in a threshing circle, in a street of on any piece of ground (1953L 17).

In a more specific relation to the art of presentation, the word “theatre” denotes the art as a whole of which the building is only a part.

Edwin Wilson, explain that:

Theatre is experience, an immediate are whose meaning is grasped through an understanding of the encounter between who creates theatre performance – writers, directions, designers and technicians and those who view it – members of the audience (1996:1)

He explains that like other experiences falling in love, attending a football game or learning to ride a bicycle – it requires our personal presence, and it changes from moment to moment as we encounter a series of shifting impressions and stimuli.

While Kenneth Cameron and Patti Gillespie agree with the fact that the theatre is art and that the presence of an audience is very desirable. They rather explain the term theatre from the perspective of what the performers do and how they do them.

In their own opinion:

Theatre is an art in which performers by impersonation represent or embody limitations of people in a story that is shown to an audience (1980:18)

MANAGEMENT

        For the purpose of this course, we are going to see management as the process whereby a conductive atmosphere is created for the various human and material resources to be utilized to achieve the desired goals.

        Chris Nwamuo observe that Theatre Management thus involves the understanding of human relations, the planning of production, the projection of results, the ability to influence results and the pooling of resources for the successful execution of a production. It could even entail taking some risks in decision making and policy implementation. Theatre management involves the following, play selection, planning market strategies, budget preparation, and control, publicity, ticket sales and house management, staff co – ordination and production analysis and evaluation (1986:2).

THEATRE ORGANIZATION

        This is an ensemble of artists who perform distinct but related and coordinated functions to the satisfaction of an audience.

ART: This is the handiwork of man, human skill (contrasted with the work of nature) the creation and expression of what is beautiful.

SCIENCE: This is knowledge arranged in an orderly manner especially knowledge obtained by observation and testing of fact, branch of such knowledge, pursuit of such knowledge.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This essay has been made possible through extensive consultation of the various books on Theatre Management within my reach. Most important though was the copious employment of the interview method. The interviews were held with the director of council. some members of the council’s audience were also interviewed.

PROBLEMS OF THEATRE MANAGEMENT IN IMO STATE. A CASE STUDY OF IMO STATE COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND CULTURE.

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