Nigerian writer Femi Osofisan will give a talk titled "African Theatre and the Home Video Explosion: Transformations in Popular Entertainment" tomorrow in Sylvester’s, 201 Stong College, at 4:30pm.
Osofisan (left) is the author of over 50 plays, many of which have been performed around the world. One of Africa's foremost writers, he has also published four novels, four collections of poetry and four volumes of essays. Osofisan was educated at universities in Ibadan, Dakar, and Paris and is a professor of drama at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
His 1984 play, Esu and the Vagabond Minstrels, is currently playing at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto. The cast includes York students/alumna Olivia Duodu and Funmi Olumade.
Information about the play and a recent interview with Osofisan conducted by Stong College master and York English Prof. Modupe Olaogun can be found on the African Theatre Ensemble Web site.
Osifisan's lecture is the third in the African Playwrights at York series, inaugurated in October 2001. Previous speakers were Zakes Mda of South Africa and Tess Onwueme of Nigeria.
This event is sponsored by the Master’s Office, Stong College; the English Department, Faculty of Arts; and the Faculty of Fine Arts.
A reception follows the talk at 5:30pm.