BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN YOUNG PEOPLE RAISED IN THE DIGITAL ERA AND LIVE THEATRE

Abstract

Constant engagements in network technologies have become the norm for young theatre audiences in Nigeria's 21st century. The love for digital culture has affected the ways young people experience the theatre with digital predispositions in place. The marriage between digital technology, theatre practice, and education is constructing new and innovative ways in which technology is used to improve teaching and learning. This qualitative study explores the implications of digital culture on the future of live theatre, navigating the complexities of this intersection through the lens of a stage play, If My Father, an adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's novel A Wrinkle in Time. Performed in September 2024, in Federal University of Education-Zaria Theatre Space. Just as Demilewa Omodo's journey through space, and time challenges traditional notions of reality, this research delves into the ways digital technologies are redefining a live theatre experience. Using a qualitative approach, this study employs in-depth interviews (Key In-depth Interview), and focus group discussions (Focus Group Discussions) to gather data from theatre practitioners, theatre arts students, educators, and administrators. This study is fore-grounded on Richard Schechners' Performance Studies, and Stuart Hall's Cultural Studies. The findings reveal the transformative impact of digital culture on live theatre, including new forms of storytelling, increased accessibility, and shifting audience behaviors. This research contributes to the ongoing conversation about the future of live theatre in the digital age, highlighting the need for theatre practitioners to develop digital literacy skills, and adapt to new business models. Ultimately, this study illuminates the possibilities, and challenges of navigating the intersection of digital culture, and live theatre, inviting further exploration, and innovation in this evolving landscape.