TheatreMania Africa partners Corona Secondary School for a theatre mentorship and stage production programme to train young creatives in Agbara

TheatreMania Africa, a leading arts development organisation, on Thursday, 4 June 2026, launched a partnership with Corona Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State, for the Generation Next Theatre Initiative, a youth-focused creative programme designed to strengthen theatre education and professional exposure.

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The Generation Next Theatre Initiative is structured as a dual programme combining mentorship and live performance, aimed at bridging academic learning with real-world experience in the creative arts sector.

The initiative begins with the Master Circle mentorship session scheduled for Thursday, 4 June 2026, at 4:00 pm, where students will receive practical guidance from seasoned theatre practitioners and industry experts.

This will be followed by a stage production titled “Whispers 4.0” on Friday, 5 June 2026, also at 4:00 pm, featuring students in a live performance designed to showcase their creative development and training outcomes.

Distinguished professionals participating in the programme include Dr. Sam Uche Anyamele, Bukola Thomas and Tomiwa Songonnuga, alongside corporate and creative leaders such as Julius Olaolu Oyekanmi, Managing Director of Finnova Tech, Alayande Stephen T., Chief Executive Officer of TheatreMania Africa, Paul Uwagbai, founder of Black Image Theatre, and Dr. Ochuko Odesa.

Organisers said the involvement of both creative and corporate experts is intended to expose students to multidisciplinary perspectives that support their artistic and personal development.

Speaking on the initiative, Alayande Stephen described it as a structured platform for nurturing emerging talent in the arts.

He said the programme goes beyond performance to provide practical mentorship that prepares students for professional careers in storytelling and theatre production.

“The GNT Initiative is more than just a performance; it is a laboratory for the next generation of African storytellers,” he said. “By bringing industry players into the school environment, we are ensuring that these students receive practical, quality guidance that transcends the classroom.”

He added that the project forms part of the build-up activities for the TheatreMania Africa Festival 2026.

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Dr. Sam Uche Anyamele also described the initiative as a valuable tool for youth development, noting that theatre remains a powerful medium for shaping creativity, discipline and communication skills among young people.