TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE THEATRE PRACTICE: THE AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA EXAMPLE

Examples in Alternative Theatre practice across most nations in African as in many other developed/developing nations of the world which has come under various names but commonly referred to as Theatre for Development because of its role in addressing people’s development, abound today. Similarly abounding are testimonies on its impact from earliest practices ? from the LaedzaBatanani experience in Botswana, to Zambia Chikwakwa experience, and the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria experience among the Travelling Theatre experiences in University of Ibadan, Nigeria, Makerere in Uganda, and University of Malawi in Lesotho among very many recent examples. This study, however, in highlighting the basic import of the concept of Alternative Theatre in the whole construct of using theatre as a viable conscientisation medium to spur people into action for self-actualisation, focuses on Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria experience in the development of the practice of Alternative Theatre, and explores the emergent trends in the course of the development which have popularised the practice in the academe, making it a legendary reference point, not only in Nigeria, but also beyond.