The 2nd Theatre and Film Season 2016/2017 organized by the Department of Theatre and Film Studies of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) has been launched on Wednesday, 22nd February, 2017.
The theatre and film season which is performed every semester is organized as part of the department’s extra curriculum activities and is characterized with a number of stage performances by members from the department especially students and lecturers.
This year’s launch was officially done by the Minister for Information and Presidential Affairs, Hon. Mustapha Hamid who in a remarks stated that it is important students take extra curriculum activities serious besides their academics.
“Beyond syllabus, it is important that you find avenue to learn other things”, the Honorable Minister said.
Speaking at the launch, the Head of Department of the Theatre and Film Studies, Dr. Vitus Nanbigne, explained that, the department through this programme, trains students to become social change makers in their society.
“Our students that we train, our graduates, go out and they change society through the practice of their arts.”
He again added that theatre has to be relevant to the community in which it is produced thus it is the department’s responsibility to create some form of entertainment to the members of the community in which the department finds itself, the reason for the theatre and film season in the university.
Dr. Vitus used the opportunity to call for support from the university and the Ministry of Education to come to the aid of the department in the continuance and development of its programmes and also for an independent theatre to produce.
“The ministry can look into areas which they can support the growth and development of the Humanities particularly the Performing Arts because the Performing Arts has the potential for national development”, he said.
The Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Dora F. Edu-Buandoh commended the department for the hardwork amidst the challenges it faces.
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. J. B. A. Afful who was present at the launch, advised that persons in the field of Arts be supported through encouragement.
“As a nation the least we can do is not to pass discouraging comments about theatre and films but to encourage people who decide that this is what they love and this is what they can do”, Prof Afful advised.
Excerpts of four plays, “Tit for Tat”, “The Story Ananse Told”, “Caught In The Net” and “The Imprisonment of Obatala” were performed as part of the launch.
A number of dignitaries were present at the launch including the Pro VC of UCC, Prof George K. T. Oduro, the Omanhene of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, Prof Victor Yankah a lecturer at the department, some executives of the SRC and other lecturers and students of the University.
Source: Godfred Mawugbe/choicism.com
