One of the stage actor’s greatest strengths lies in the body and the voice. Theatre demands vocal dexterity—projection without microphones, diction that cuts through the air—and physical control that shapes character through movement. Nollywood’s reliance on close-ups and sound equipment makes these tools appear unnecessary. Over time, many actors lose them, leaving their screen work bland and lifeless
THEATRE has always been the crucible of Nigerian acting. It is where discipline is forged, where actors learn to command presence without retakes, and where storytelling is anchored in cultural richness. Yet in recent years, as more Nigerian stage actors cross into Nollywood, a troubling pattern has emerged: many of them are losing the very skills that once defined their artistry.
From Discipline to Convenience: On stage, there is no safety net. Every gesture, every line, every pause must resonate with an audience seated far from the stage. Nollywood, by contrast, offers multiple takes, microphones, and the safety of editing. What theatre demands in rigour, film often forgives. For stage-trained actors, the shift to screen can erode the precision and vitality that made them exceptional.
Nollywood’s Fast-Food Culture: The modern Nollywood industry thrives on speed. Producers race to deliver “content” to cinemas and streaming platforms, often sacrificing rehearsal and depth. Stage actors who are used to weeks of character development are thrust into productions where glamour and marketability matter more than craft. The result is flat, forgettable performances that betray the layered artistry of theatre.
Stardom Over Substance: Stage acting rarely offers celebrity status. Nollywood, however, promises red carpets, endorsements, and Instagram fame. In the pursuit of visibility, many actors abandon the rigour of their training, settling into stereotypes and one-dimensional portrayals. What once made them remarkable is traded for the shallow currency of stardom.
The Vanishing Art of Voice and Movement: One of the stage actor’s greatest strengths lies in the body and the voice. Theatre demands vocal dexterity—projection without microphones, diction that cuts through the air—and physical control that shapes character through movement. Nollywood’s reliance on close-ups and sound equipment makes these tools appear unnecessary. Over time, many actors lose them, leaving their screen work bland and lifeless.
Exceptions That Prove the Rule: Of course, not every stage-to-screen transition ends in decline. Actors like Joke Silva, Toyin Oshinaike, and Bimbo Akintola demonstrate how stage discipline can enrich screen performance. They carry into Nollywood the gravitas and authenticity born of theatre, showing what is possible when the two worlds complement each other. Unfortunately, such examples are becoming rare in an industry increasingly driven by speed and spectacle.
A Needed Reconnection: If Nollywood is to stand tall on the global stage, it must protect and nurture the artistry of its actors. Workshops, ongoing training, and directors who insist on depth over shortcuts can help stage actors adapt without losing their edge. The camera should not dilute the stage—it should magnify its best qualities.
Theatre gave Nigerian actors their backbone. Nollywood must not become the place where they lose it.
- Adeniran, fta, is President of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, NANTAP