Abstract: Theatrical lighting is essential in the preparation, articulation and expression of the mythos of African performances. It is a core performance element that livens, embellishes, reveals and frames both the content and context of African performances. However, the continuum of theatre and human society has made such creative dexterity less sacrosanct as it continues to adapt to emergent ideas and innovations. Continuing change in human thinking and innovations, coupled with audience needs and or pressures for new aestheticism have consistently percolated the lighting creative space, thus making it more dynamic. On this premise, this paper examines the tradition, change and continuity in the lighting technology of African performances. Finding reveals that this technical element has experienced three levels of transition, namely; ‘simplistic’ technology in the form of sun, moon, and lightening to a more ‘complexified’ technology in the form of flame fire in its variegated formations as meet performance forms and or typologies. This stage also witnessed the combination of bonfire, sun, moon and lightening. Finally, a hybridization of African and modern lighting technology. The paper concludes that the knowledge of African performance lighting craftsmanship is essential for future generation of its bearers as it will guide in the creative process. The paper encourages more research in this area for purposes of documentation and transmission of these creative ideas.
Keywords: Lighting Technologies, Traditional Performance, Transition.
Title: Tradition, Change and Continuity in the Lighting Technology of African Performance
Author: Jerry Idah Odeh
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Vol. 11, Issue 2, April 2023 - June 2023
Page No: 243-251
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 18-May-2023
