Project Othello: Abuja students celebrate Shakespeare

As the world celebrated ‘Shakespeare 400’ in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare who died on 23rd April 1616, children in Kuje and Bwari, area councils in Abuja, Nigeria celebrated him in their weekly ‘Project Othello’ workshop. The project is an innovative fun platform that uses Shakespeare’s works to re-engage […]

As the world celebrated ‘Shakespeare 400’ in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare who died on 23rd April 1616, children in Kuje and Bwari, area councils in Abuja, Nigeria celebrated him in their weekly ‘Project Othello’ workshop.
The project is an innovative fun platform that uses Shakespeare’s works to re-engage secondary school students in appreciating literature, language and learning.
According to its creative producer, Sebari Diete-Spiff, the project is a fun opportunity to inspire young minds to follow their dreams, some of who may turn out to become future dramatists, filmmakers, novelists and lawyers.
She said: “The project was designed with a focus on ensuring that the children were able to apply the themes and situations in the play to everyday life.
“In working the play Othello I wanted to teach the children about the joy of reading, the skill of listening and understanding, confidence in speaking, and the power and beauty of the pen” Sebari said.
 Diette-Spiff added that: “When Project Othello started we were not aware of ‘Shakespeare 400.’  Initial research showed a need for our service as the play Othello-the Moor of Venice, is on the approved literature text for senior secondary students in Nigeria.
Over 10 days of very intensive training, the participants with direction from a professional scriptwriter, a theatre practitioner from the University of Abuja theatre department and an actor/drama tutor from the UK/Ghana, the students were able to write a short film adaptation ‘Love’s Deceit.’
In January 2016, Project Othello started working with 21 students at the Department for Mass Education (VTC-VEI) Bwari with emphasis on Shakespeare’s plays, especially ‘Othello.’  The students are currently rehearsing the play, speaking ‘Modern English’ as written by Shakespeare 400 years ago.