PRESS LINKS & REVIEWS
Team – Programme Consultant
Prof. Niyi Coker Jr. – Consultant (Adjudicator) Dr. Razinat Talatu Muhammed – Consultant Dr. Bonny Botoku – Consultant Steve Ogundele – Consultant Edmond Enaibe – Consultant James Hughe – Consultant Ilemakin Soyinka – Consultant...
These African artists are leaving a global impression
Legendary Nigerian artist Bruce Onobrakpeya is showcasing his life's work to a new audience. In Mozambique, Lizette Chirrime is using her craft to spread a message of hope. Read more:...
Power, Survival & Brotherhood – “Top Dog / Underdog” at iPhulo Festival
Step into the gripping world of Top Dog / Underdog, where power struggles, fate, and family collide. In this exclusive reel, Dr. Niyi Coker Jr. takes us behind the scenes, sharing insights on this Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece and why it’s a must-see at iPhulo...
Topdog/Underdog on stage at Iphulo Drama Festival, Eastern Cape, SA, March 14-15
Topdog/Underdog is a play that resonates across time, space, and culture. It speaks to the wrecking of the Black family, the weight of parental decisions, and the complexities of sibling rivalry. It is an honor to bring this production to South Africa, where its...
CHINA: Africa Showcases Vibrant Drum Heritage at China’s First International Theatre Exchange Forum
China – January 2025 In a spectacular blend of rhythm and Culture during NACA past event, Africa took the global stage at the First International Theatre Exchange and Cooperation Forum hosted by the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts (NACTA). The event, centered...
Dr. ‘Niyi Coker, Jr., is a Professor and the Director #294
Dr. ‘Niyi Coker, Jr., is a Professor and the Director of the School of Theatre, Television, and Film (TTF) at San Diego State University in California, which is ranked by the Hollywood Reporter as a top 10 Film production program. ‘Niyi has served as Visiting Artistic...
Diversionary Theatre Announces Cast and Creative Team For THE HIGH TABLE
Diversionary Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for its production of The High Table, by Temi Wilkey, directed by Niyi Coker Jr. The High Table will run February 9 - March 5 (press opening on February 18) at Diversionary Theatre in University Heights....
In Celebration of Africana Studies 50th Anniversary, Major Artists Visit SDSU
An art exhibition of internationally-known African artist Bruce Onobrakpeya and readings with Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka were result of efforts by faculty members and students. Not since Bob Marley performed at San Diego State University in 1978, has San Diego...
The 60-year curiosity of Bruce Onobrakpeya
The first retrospective of the legendary Nigerian artist — and the first time his work is shown in San Diego — will be on view at San Diego State University in an exhibition and program with playwright and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka. Working as a studio artist for...
A RAISIN IN THE SUN
The University of San Diego in the USA, and UKZN’s Howard College campus present a South African version of A Raisin in the Sun which explores racism in both USA and South African politics, all mediated through this seminal 1965 play written by Lorraine...
UKZN Drama Students in Action at National Arts Festival
A group of UKZN Drama students - under the supervision of visiting academic from the University of Missouri in the United States Professor Niyi Coker - performed the acclaimed Broadway production: A Raisin in the Sun, at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival...
Mama Africa–The Musical The Life and Times of an International Legend
Three days of foot stomping energy, with audiences enjoying traditional dance to the tunes of songs that have stood the test of time – the first-ever performance of Miriam Makeba Mama Africa – The Musical was a fitting tribute to legendary South African...
To Black Women, Miriam Makeba’s Life Is Forever A Song
Makeba was able to overcome her insurmountable difficulties with song but I wondered; what happens to those who do not manage to fold away their pain? The confident young black woman sitting on my left startles me with a sudden burst of tears in the dark. We are...
Remembering An Icon
Miriam Makeba — a singer who fought for civil rights in the United States and South Africa. The United States Consulate General, Cape Town is proud to support the South African arts industry in telling the story of the Miriam Makeba during...
South Africa: When Mama Africa the Musical Ruled the Artscape, Cape Town
And so legendary African cultural and civil rights activist, Miriam Makeba, returned to Cape Town last Friday and she was a show-stopper, filling the land with memories and recalls of her extraordinary life of struggles and accomplishments in the arts. Makeba returned...
Rootsy Miriam Makeba Musical
MIRIAM MAKEBA – MAMA AFRICA THE MUSICAL. Directed by Niyi Coker, Jr, with Jennifer Pau-Kakaza, Simangele Mashazi, Phelo Nodlayiya, Princess Dyani, Tabita Khoncwana, and more. Choreography Thandi Swaartbooi. JANE MAYNE There’s probably some kind of shortlist to be...
‘Mama Africa’: Resilience of the African spirit
MUSICALS which relate the story of the influential or famous individual provide a potent means of engaging and gaining insight into their lives and milieus – in an entertaining manner. We sing along and become immersed in their stories. Evita– based on the life of...
Mama Africa back at Artscape
By popular demand, Miriam Makeba Mama Africa The Musical will be staged at Artscape Theatre from 02 – 12 February 2017.The story of the life and career of the Grammy award winning singer and civil rights activist, is delightfully told in the musical, written/directed...
Cross-continental Project MAMA AFRICA: THE MUSICAL Coming to South Africa, UK and Nigeria
MAMA AFRICA: THE MUSICAL, the bio-musical about Miriam Makeba, will be staged at Artscape Theatre Centre in South Africa this February, with tour dates booked for the United Kingdom in March and Nigeria in May. Starting as a cross-continental cultural project,...
Miriam Makeba magnificently honored in ‘Mama Africa the Musical’
In the early 1960s she was introduced to the world by singer and activist Harry Belafonte, singing in her incredible, unique South African vocalizing style of yells, chants, hums and scats woven into the electrifying soulfulness and spiritual vibrations of African...
A life lived in music, recalled in music in play written by UMSL professor
Miriam Makeba, the internationally famed singer and civil rights activist from South Africa, actually died on stage. Read more:...
Faaji Agba,Ota Benga and 30 other Documentaries to be Screened at iREP 2016
The 2016 i-Represent International Documentary Film Festival is the sixth edition of the popular annual festival, which is the biggest on the West African coast and it is scheduled to hold from the Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th March 2016, at Freedom Park, Broad...
Two Miriam’s in ‘Mama Africa’ musical
LONG before world music became a genre, before Paul Simon met Ray Phiri, and before Ladysmith Black Mambazo started winning Grammys, Miriam Makeba introduced international audiences to South African music. The singer and civil rights activist, who began her career in...
The EBCCI Film Club – Oto Benga
Date:March 3, 2016 Time:7:00 pm To Location:Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, UWI, Cave Hill, St. Michael Event Description The Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination Film Club presents Oto BengaSpecial Guest: Professor Niyi Coker...
World Premiere of Niyi Coker Jr & Jean Bodon film OTA BENGA (Human in a cage.)
Please come out to the Smithsonian Institute - Museum of African Art for the World Premiere of Niyi Coker, Jr & Jean Bodon film "Ota Benga" on November 1st 2015 at 2pm. "He was removed from Africa and housed in a cage with primates at the Bronx Zoo, as...
Celebrating Soyinka at 80
This was after the broadcast to a global audience of Mazrui’s The Africans: A Triple Heritage, a famous TV and radio series. In a review of The Man Died: Prison Notes of Wole Soyinka, Mazrui did, in fact, describe Soyinka’s 1971 book as being irrational, and...
It should be a very emphatic story to many
Matthew Amend and Vanika Spencer, members of the Circuit Theatre Company of Missouri play the roles of Mr and Mrs Olumorin in ‘Camwood on the Leaves’ coming to Bermuda this week. An American theatre company will perform at City Hall as a fundraiser for cancer charity...
A Drive for Direction: Director, Professor and Filmmaker Adeniyi Coker Hits the Madrid International Film Festival
Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, Adeniyi A. Coker Jr. (a.k.a. ’Niyi) wasn’t interested in becoming a lawyer like his father. Instead, he wrote plays. “If you ask any of my high-school classmates, that’s what they remember me for,” says Coker. “I always had a fresh play...
‘BOOTH!’ Holds NY Premiere at Skirball Center 6/2 – 6/7
Booth! an exciting new musical, will have its New York premiere at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at New York University from June 2 through June 7. An examination of the life of 19th Century maverick actor Edwin Booth, Booth! features music by...
Africa World Documentary Film Festival at the EBCCI
MARCH 12-15, 2009 Welcome to the Barbados section of the second annual Africa World Documentary Film Festival, based in St. Louis, Missouri. This year’s Festival features a partnership between the Center for International Studies at the University of Missouri-St....