‘Because I am happy for me this is not work!’ Utopia Theatre’s Artistic Director Mojisola Elufowoju is delighted to share her ideas and practices about her company’s journey in this deeply personal and thoughtful Masterclass. Formerly a lawyer, Elufowoju has transferred her skills around administration, working with people, organisation, and logistics into the creation of a company whose mission is to make visible the richness and diversity of African theatre for a national and increasingly international audience. Leaving a law career where she was unhappy and unfulfilled and retraining in theatre as a director, Elufowoju is inspired from what she has observed and experienced in her life and in the lives of others close to her.
In her directing style, she is influenced by the approach of Robert Wilson and like him prefers to work in collaboration with others. ‘This means bringing on board the right people, to harness what they can contribute to making the best possible production.’
It is our duty to make sure that we are true to the story. It is necessary for example to pay attention to the rhythm of the language in a play, to pay attention to areas that require specific information because they are rites that are authentic to a community. It is important to think about how you invite engagement from the audience.
To do this work ‘you must be brave’, she says ‘set your mind and get on and do it.’ At the end of this impassioned and generous Masterclass consider the following questions for discussion.
- 1. ‘Here’s What She Said to Me’ was devised. Describe the process.
- 2. What new opportunities have appeared for Utopia Theatre in the wake of the pandemic?
- 3. How does Elufowoju create and share a ‘strong vision’ of the plays she directs with cast and crew?